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

74 LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
In some cases, where the team is small or the leader is very
influential, the leader may have a 90% influence over the climate
of the team or organization. That is why your relationship with
your boss is one of the biggest factors in whether you leave your
job or get a promotion.
Good bosses raise the “discretionary effort” of the team. Discretionary
effort is the dedication, loyalty, and amount of effort put
into a project or assignment. 93 Most employees fail to put in 100% on
everything. But if you have a good boss, you usually want to please
and do a good job for him or her, and usually you will put more into
your assignment. You will check your work more often, ask the advice
of others, and think about ways to work smarter. If the effort is discretionary,
you put more into it than an employee with a bad or average
boss. Small increases in discretionary effort, even 5-10%, can increase
productivity and change good performers into great performers.
THE SOLUTION: IF YOU OR YOUR BOSS
ARE DEBILITATING
There is an inoculation that can protect you from the contagion of
the Debilitating Boss. You have your Emotional Intelligence competencies
to build up, strengthen, and repel their impact on you, such as:
• Managing your impulses and inoculating yourself from
your boss
• Communication and confl ict resolution skills to interact with
your boss in an effective way, to attenuate his or her impact
on you, and to feel you stood up for yourself
• Confidence to prevent your boss from getting under
your skin
• Achievement orientation to fi nd ways to get your goals
accomplished in spite of a Debilitating Boss