Modern-day boardrooms are filled with people with critical skills like Emotional Quotient, and they are making a bigger impact.

This is the brutal truth of today’s leadership - EQ is winning over the IQ (and for good).

In a world racing towards automation, AI & remote work culture, humans sit on top. Authenticity & Emotional quotient give a competitive edge to humans.

What Does “Authentic Leadership” Look Like in 2025?

Remember the old saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Well, it holds more truth than ever.

Authentic leaders in today’s digital world bring their whole selves to work. They lead with vulnerability, own their mistakes, and don’t hide behind polished PowerPoint slides.

Instead, they connect purpose to action and create environments where people feel safe being human.

Recommended Read: You’ll Face These 7 Leadership Challenges: Prepare Yourself

(EQ vs. IQ) Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Real Superpower?

As a leader, you must have learned that IQ wins, but IQ alone doesn’t make you a great leader. Multiple global studies suggest that EQ (emotional intelligence) is the differentiator.

EQ means knowing yourself, recognising stress, reading the virtual “temperature” in a Zoom call, and responding empathetically.

It’s about building trust, handling conflict, and cultivating a culture where people can openly innovate and challenge the status quo.

We operate in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) and BANI (brittle, anxious, nonlinear, incomprehensible) world. In virtual meetings, hidden cues and the need to scan screens make trust more fragile. Authentic leaders who bring transparency, integrity, and purpose into digital spaces stand out.

Recommended Read: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in CEO Effectiveness

EQ as a Must-Have for Modern Leaders

EQ matters today because technology has opened the door for massive change globally. Leaders now manage hybrid, global teams and drive transformation while navigating diverse cultures, 24/7 digital connections, and digital overload.

Only emotionally intelligent leaders can break through in this noisy landscape. They foster belonging, model resilience, and set an example of embracing change rather than fearing it.

How to Build EQ in the Leadership and Beyond

One promising thing about EQ is that it can be learned & improved over time. Here are four ways leaders and organizations can level up:

• Self-reflection: Start with honest feedback—ask peers, “What’s one thing I can do better?” It’s humbling, but growth comes from discomfort.
• Active Listening: Don’t just wait for your turn to speak. In meetings, be all in—no multitasking. It’s how trust and collaboration start.
• Continuous Learning: Enroll in programs that make you stretch. Growth is a lifelong journey, not a checkbox.
• Inclusive Communication: In a digital age, words can be misread. Be intentional and transparent, and check in often, especially with remote or multicultural teams.

Recommended Read: Future Trends in Leadership Consulting: What to Expect in 2025

High EQ - Higher the Success

At The Taplow Group, our experts always recommend that organizations have EQ as their core strategy if they are to pursue high performance and high retention.

Technical skills are just an entry pass; the real differentiator is EQ today. A leader must possess the heart to understand themselves and others, master managing emotions, and use awareness to drive results for the organisation.