A two-day Leadership workshop on Emotional Intelligence has been held at the University of Cape Coast to offer leadership skills for emerging leaders and administrators.
The workshop organized by the Office of International Relations (OIR) at the University of Cape Coast was on the theme: “Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Developing Skills to Understand and Manage Emotions at the Workplace.”
Explaining the concept of emotional intelligence, an associate Professor of the University of Buffalo, USA, Prof. Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah emphasized that being smart is not enough.
She said, “Emotional intelligence is being able to have a command over our own emotions whilst recognizing the emotions of others, this allows us to make more effective decisions, to remain unbiased, to be empathetic, to be inspirational.”
This she indicated contributes to a positive work environment where employees feel valued, and empowered enabling them to contribute meaningfully.
Prof. Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah outlined key components of emotional intelligence and their importance in leadership.
She pointed out the need for self-awareness to enable one to recognize their strengths and areas needing improvement.
She added that social awareness is crucial, allowing leaders to understand the dynamics within an organization while maintaining empathy.
Prof. Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah further highlighted self-management and other management, underscoring the ability to regulate emotions personally and in interactions with others.
She also underscored the importance of influence which she explained allows leaders to impact individuals, teams, and communities.
According to the Dean of the Office of International Relations, Professor Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, the training was necessary to equip participants with knowledge and understanding of emotional intelligence that will influence their relationship with those they lead.
In an interview with ATLFMNEWS, Prof. Boadi-Kusi indicated that building the capacity of faculty, staff and students is part of their OIR’s mandate, hence the need for the workshop.
He described as critical, the importance of Emotional Intelligence for leaders given their constant interactions with others within the university setting.
Prof. Samuel Boadi-Kusi expressed optimism that at the end of the training, the participants will be equipped with the needed leadership competencies that could bring changes to their places of jurisdiction and increase productivity.
He further revealed that the OIR intends to train student leaders to equip them with the required leadership skills.
“We have only the SRC president and then the GRASAG president who are part…we intend to make this a regular feature for students, especially immediately after they are elected so that we give them some level of leadership, extensive leadership training for them to understand the job they have elected to do.”
The workshop brought together leaders from across the University’s administrative and academic units.
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Source: Flora Tang/ATLFMNEWS
