Emotional Intelligence and Military Leadership

Gerald F. Sewell’s 2011 Military Review article, “How Emotional Intelligence Can Make a Difference,” discusses emotional intelligence in the context of Army leadership and soldier resilience. It connects awareness of oneself and others with the challenges of responding to adversity.

This is a historical leadership perspective. Read it in the context of its publication date and the military programs it discusses; it is not an evaluation of BlueEQ training or a statement of current Army policy.

Read Gerald F. Sewell’s Military Review article (PDF, March–April 2011).

Questions for Leadership Development

Use the article as a prompt for reflection, rather than as a checklist for judging another person’s abilities. Think about a recent demanding interaction and consider:

• Which emotions did you notice in yourself, and how did they influence your response?
• What did you assume about the other person, and what could you ask to check that assumption?
• What is one communication behavior you would like to practice before the next difficult conversation?

These reflection questions are BlueEQ’s suggested learning prompts, separate from the article’s findings and recommendations.

Explore Emotional Intelligence Training

For a structured next step, explore Leading with Emotional Intelligence. Review the assessment, learning objectives, formats, and development plan to decide whether the program fits your leadership goals.

For another public-service perspective, read Emotional Intelligence for Emergency Service Leaders.