“Emotional intelligence is the key to both personal and professional success.”
Daniel Goleman
Think back to a time when someone had a meaningful impact on your life. Was it their knowledge that moved you? Or was it their genuine care for your growth? Dale Carnegie discovered in the 1920s that true influence wasn’t about being the most articulate speaker, it was about connection. People who create lasting influence aren’t the loudest voices in the room. They’re the ones who take the time to listen, understand, and serve, guided by empathy.
We often define success by what we achieve and what we can claim for ourselves. But real success is about impact. It’s about how you make others feel, how you help them grow, and how your influence leaves them better than before. Emotional intelligence is the ability to see beyond your own needs and focus on others, understanding their fears, motivations, and goals. It’s about empathy in action.
Do you understand before seeking to be understood?
True influence starts with serving others, not yourself. Today, ask yourself: Who needs my attention and my care? What can I do to help them move forward, even in the smallest of ways? When you start putting others first, your influence grows; and so does your true success.
If emotional intelligence is the key to meaningful influence, what small step can you take today to better connect with and serve those around you?
