By Terry MANTE
“Empathy and social skill are social intelligence in action. They are what make us effective in our interactions with others.” – Daniel Goleman
In the corporate arena, leadership is as much about understanding people as it is about making decisions. For leaders, the ability to grasp the emotions, motivations, and perspectives of others is critical for fostering collaboration, building trust, and achieving organizational goals.
This competency, known as social awareness, is a cornerstone of emotional intelligence that enables leaders to navigate interpersonal dynamics and manage stakeholder relationships effectively.
Research by Goleman (1998) underscores the critical role of social awareness as part of emotional intelligence, highlighting its impact on team cohesion, organizational effectiveness, and leadership influence.
In Ghana’s business landscape, where relational leadership often takes precedence, social awareness is particularly essential. Leaders who cultivate this skill are better positioned to inspire loyalty, resolve conflicts, and drive innovation.
The importance of social awareness
- Nurturing stronger relationships
Leaders who are socially aware build deeper connections with their teams, clients, and stakeholders. By understanding others’ perspectives and concerns, leaders create a culture of trust and inclusivity.
In a corporate setting in Ghana, Abena, the HR Manager of a multinational company, notices a growing sense of dissatisfaction among employees due to a perceived lack of career growth opportunities.
Through one-on-one conversations and group discussions, she identifies the root cause: a lack of training programs. Abena advocates for the implementation of career development initiatives, earning the trust of her colleagues and boosting morale across the organization.
- Neutralizing conflicts
Socially aware leaders are skilled at identifying and addressing conflicts before they escalate. Their ability to empathize and mediate helps maintain harmony and productivity.
Kwame, the COO of a logistics firm in Tema, observes tension between two department heads over resource allocation. Instead of ignoring the issue, Kwame facilitates a dialogue where both parties can express their concerns. By actively listening and offering a compromise, Kwame resolves the conflict, ensuring smooth operations and fostering a collaborative culture.
- Normalizing team dynamics
Understanding the diverse personalities and working styles within a team allows leaders to leverage each individual’s strengths and address their weaknesses.
Selorm, the project manager of a fintech startup in Accra, recognizes that one of his team members excels at analytics but struggles with presentations. Selorm pairs the team member with a more confident presenter for joint tasks. By accommodating these strengths and weaknesses, Selorm enhances team performance while providing an opportunity for growth.
- Navigating cultural sensitivities
In multicultural workplaces, social awareness helps leaders recognize and respect cultural differences, creating an inclusive and harmonious environment.
Yaa, the director of a Ghana-based NGO, works with a team that includes expatriates from different cultural backgrounds. When organizing an annual retreat, Yaa considers dietary restrictions, religious practices, and preferred communication styles of her team. This thoughtful approach fosters inclusivity and ensures everyone feels valued.
Developing social awareness
- Practice active listening: Active listening involves fully concentrating on what someone is saying rather than thinking about your response. For leaders, this skill is essential for understanding team dynamics and stakeholder concerns.
- Observe non-verbal cues: Non-verbal communication, such as body language and facial expressions, often conveys more than words. Leaders should be attentive to these cues to gain deeper insights into how others feel.
- Seek feedback: Encourage colleagues, peers, and employees to provide honest feedback about your interpersonal interactions. Use this feedback to refine your approach to relationships and communication.
- Cultivate empathy: Empathy—the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes—can be developed by exposing yourself to diverse perspectives. For example, Ghanaian leaders can spend time interacting with employees at all levels to understand their challenges and aspirations.
- Stay informed on cultural and organizational norms: Leaders need to navigate not only corporate culture but also societal expectations. Understanding these norms ensures respectful and effective interactions with diverse stakeholders.
The impact of social awareness
As indicated earlier, research by Goleman has emphasized the critical role of emotional intelligence—of which social awareness is a key component—in effective leadership. Leaders with high social awareness are better equipped to inspire loyalty, drive innovation, and foster collaboration. In the Ghanaian corporate context, where relational leadership is often emphasized, social awareness helps leaders build networks, resolve conflicts, and create environments where people thrive.
Social awareness is not just a desirable trait; it is an essential leadership skill in the corporate world. By understanding the emotions and perspectives of others, leaders can build trust, resolve conflicts, and enhance team dynamics.
In Ghana’s evolving business landscape, where collaboration and cultural sensitivity are paramount, socially aware leaders have a distinct advantage. By practicing empathy, active listening, and cultural sensitivity, leaders can inspire their teams and drive their organizations to new heights.
——Bottom of Form
About the author
Terry Mante is a thought leader whose expression as an author, corporate trainer, management consultant, and speaker provides challenge and inspiration to add value to organizations and position individuals to function effectively. He is the Principal Consultant of Terry Mante Exchange (TMX). Connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads and TikTok @terrymante and www.terrymante.org.
