Cultivate emotional intelligence (EQ)

Emotional intelligence is crucial for design leaders aiming to deeply understand and connect with their team's emotions, fostering an empathetic culture. True empathy goes beyond prioritizing our own views; it involves seeing from others' perspectives to genuinely comprehend their experiences.

Observation plays a key role in grasping user needs. More than just listening, watching people's behaviors, body language, and surroundings provides a fuller understanding of their experiences.

The What-How-Why method is a powerful tool in this process:

• "What" focuses on observing actions, context, and details
• "How" examines the effort, emotions, and tools used
• "Why" seeks to understand the motivations and emotions driving behaviors, connecting observed actions to emotional states

Utilizing this method to notice how team members approach projects, interact, and receive feedback enables leaders to adjust their leadership approach to better meet both individual and collective needs.