Why Emotional Intelligence Is the New CEO Superpower in 2025
- Doug Staneart
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
A new global leadership study reveals that emotional intelligence has overtaken every other skill as the defining trait of successful US leaders in 2025.
New Leadership Skills for a New World – a global leadership development study by Harvard Business Impact found that 47 % of organizations say emotional intelligence (EQ) is more critical now than last year, and about 40 % cite leading through polarization and AI fluency as rising priorities.
Why This Matters
As workplaces evolve under the pressure of hybrid models, automation and cultural division, leadership effectiveness is less about technical prowess and more about human-centred intelligence. The Leaders Institute say emotional intelligence is now emerging as the decisive factor for leaders navigating these shifts.
What the Data Shows
In the 2025 Global Leadership Development study, 47 % of organisations reported that emotional and social intelligence are more critical this year than in 2024.
Around 40 % of respondents identified the ability to lead through polarization and to interpret complex AI-driven information as elevated leadership priorities.
A separate 2023 study indicated 76 % of respondents ranked “high emotional & social intelligence” as a top-two capability expected of leaders.
What’s Replacing What?
In recent years, leadership skill ranking has shifted:
In 2022–2023, empathy and communication held top spots alongside conflict management.
For 2024, several sources noted EQ as the #1 leadership skill.
For 2025, the emphasis has broadened: EQ remains key, but leading through AI fluency and cultural complexity are now ascending.
Other Sought-After Skills for 2025
AI & Data Fluency – Leaders need to interpret, not just implement, AI tools.
Inclusion & Cultural Intelligence – Managing multi-generational, cross-cultural teams.
Adaptability & Resilience – Rapid change demands elasticity and emotional resilience.
Ethical Decision-Making & Psychological Safety – Building trust and teams that thrive.
How The Leaders Institute Is Addressing It
The Institute’s upcoming programme, “The 2025 Leader: EQ, Inclusion & AI Savvy”, bridges these needs:
Modules on empathy-driven leadership and emotional awareness
Workshops on generational and cultural inclusion in polarised settings
Practical upskilling in AI literacy for non-technical managers
Coaching models that build self-awareness, regulation and human-centred decision-making
“In a world where change is constant and machines are taking over tasks once reserved for humans, what remains uniquely human is our ability to understand, connect and lead through complexity. Emotional intelligence is no longer a ‘soft’ skill. It’s the difference between a leader who survives and one who thrives,” says Productivity Expert Doug Staneart from The Leaders Institute.
Doug Staneart is a productivity and leadership expert, best known for his work as CEO of The Leaders Institute. With over two decades helping organisations unify communication and performance, he coaches executives on embedding sustainable focus, emotional intelligence, and mindful work practices into high-performing cultures.
The Leaders Institute designs experiential training and team-building solutions that blend personal development with organisational results. From communication workshops to mindfulness integrations and culture-building events, they support leaders and teams in building trust, clarity, and lasting performance.
