Most leaders focus on technical skills, but this lesser-known trait quietly shapes team loyalty, engagement and long-term performance. But today, there's growing recognition that soft skills — especially emotional intelligence (EQ) — are just as vital, if not more so. EQ isn't just about being "nice" or managing conflict — it's about cultivating trust, improving communication and building resilient, high-performing teams. When emotional intelligence becomes a hiring lens, companies reduce mis-hires and build more cohesive teams. Emotional intelligence isn't optional at the topLeadership isn't just about setting strategy — it's about setting the tone.