Leadership today extends beyond logic and strategy. While analytical, structured thinking remain critical, it can fall short when addressing the nuances of modern business challenges. Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a vital skill for leaders—and it’s a key module taught in the first year of the Geneva EMBA.
At its core, emotional intelligence is about recognizing and managing emotions—both your own and those of others. Leaders with strong EI are better equipped to navigate uncertainty, balance risks with opportunities, and make decisions aligned with their values and goals. However, emotional intelligence is not about suppressing emotions or becoming overly empathic. Instead, it’s about acknowledging emotions as a source of information and using that insight to act with intention and clarity.
Fear and risk, often perceived as drivers of action, usually have the opposite effect. “The world shows us that fear and risk are not motivators for action, as we often believe. Instead, they tend to paralyse, pushing us to stand still rather than move forward,” explains Jean-Yves Mercier, Director of the EMBA programme at the University of Geneva. Leaders without emotional intelligence may react impulsively—through anger, withdrawal, or over-optimism—rather than responding with clarity and purpose. This disconnect often results in decisions that stall before implementation, leaving teams unmotivated and progress undone.
Emotional intelligence offers a way forward. It enables leaders to engage teams meaningfully, fostering trust, collaboration, and alignment with shared goals. By recognizing and addressing emotions—both their own and others’—leaders can inspire action, transforming fear of change into purposeful progress.
In Year 1 of the Geneva EMBA, the Self-Leadership and Managing Effectively course includes the module “Managing with Emotional Intelligence”. The course introduces an original way of thinking about emotions, equipping students with tools to read and respond to emotions effectively in workplace settings.
Learning outcomes:
- Create a more empathetic work environment: Learn to foster trust and collaboration within teams.
- Manage interpersonal conflicts: Apply emotional intelligence to navigate and resolve workplace challenges.
- Handle emotions strategically: Adapt your approach to support and engage with others effectively.
- Curious about EI? Read about the work of Professor Marcello Motillaro who teaches on the Geneva EMBA course here.
- Try Professor Motillaro’s Emotional Competence Test.
If this sounds exactly like the skills you need, get in touch now to discuss entry requirements for the Geneva EMBA at the University of Geneva.
