Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Hands-On ... - always yours

ARE YOU A STAR PERFORMER OR JUST AVERAGE? 31
an opportunity to praise managers in private, at Berkshire
Hathaway’s annual meetings, or by announcing the praise in
annual reports. If you have to criticize, criticize the category:
for example, by saying the report could have been better, the
sales numbers are low. (Communication, Developing Others)
• Listening well to avoid arguments and manage confl ict. Buffett
learned from Dale Carnegie to listen well and respect
people’s opinion even if they are different than his. He was
also influenced by Benjamin Franklin’s biography, where
Franklin says he forbade himself from using language that
communicated a fi xed opinion, like “certainly” or “obviously,”
and instead adopted “I imagine” or “it appears to me.” 28 (Confl
ict Management)
For self-renewal, Buffett plays bridge 12 hours a week and is an
avid University of Nebraska football fan. Warren Buffett’s successes
in business, in understanding and managing himself, and in managing
other high-powered individuals reflect his mastery of many
of the Emotional Intelligence competencies. He is also a notable
philanthropist, having pledged to give away 85% of his fortune to
the Gates Foundation. (Service Orientation)
Below are the EI competencies for Warren Buffet, which show
stars shining across all four clusters.
Key Strengths/Competencies
• Accurate self-assessment
• Confidence
• Initiative
• Achievement orientation
• Adaptability
• Service orientation
• Trustworthiness
• Inspirational leadership