CV becomes Connecting Value

These times are characterized by constant change. The resulting demands on the flexibility of individuals and organizations are high. Constant change also calls for a different style of leadership than before, more facilitating and less directive and controlling. More pro-active and less reactive. More oriented to development and growth than 'only' to career aspects. With focus on sustainable results instead of on 'quick fixes'. And with an outlook beyond technical skills, as leadership and change ultimately come from within.

Personal leadership arises from people's awareness of their strengths and talents, from which people connect with others and their environment. Inside-out, in Fredric Hudson's words. Social skills are crucial for leadership performance. Theoretical and technical competencies are still of importance, but now more than ever a leader needs to be able to connect with people. For results are achieved through partnership. With colleagues, peers, supervisors, clients, providers, distributors.....

Connecting starts by recognizing and 'reading' one's owns and others emotions. Emotional intelligence, EQ in short, plays an important role in this regard. Daniel Goleman, one of the founding fathers of EQ, builds his model around four elements:

- Self-awareness: the ability to read one's own emotions and recognize their impact while using 'gut feelings' to guide decisions;

- Self-management: controlling one's emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances;

- Social awareness: the ability to sense, understand and react to others' emotions while understanding social networks;

- Relationship management: the ability to inspire, influence, and develop others (in other words managing others' emotions).

EQ competencies are not innate talents, but rather learned capabilities that must be worked on and can be developed to achieve outstanding performance. Leaders who are motivated to do this 'work', will strengthen and enlarge their connecting value and improve their leadership. For them, this CV will matter more than their other CV.....