Are you sending a high-potential employee to coaching to sharpen their leadership skills? That’s great! But here’s the real question: are you also investing in your own emotional intelligence (EQ)? In this edition of Roberta’s Rants, I challenge leaders to take a good look in the mirror.

When leaders identify talent for executive coaching, they often forget one key truth: relationships are reciprocal. If there’s a communication gap, it’s rarely just one person’s responsibility to fix it.

Before sending someone else to an EQ coach, ask yourself:

How strong are my own EQ skills?

Am I approachable?

Do I express emotions effectively?

Do I practice empathy consistently?

Taking the EQ-i 2.0 assessment yourself sets the tone. It removes any stigma and sends a clear message: “Growth is for everyone, including me.” Leaders who take this step don’t appear weak. In fact, they model strength, vulnerability, and self-awareness—the hallmarks of a great leader. Let’s stop pretending that coaching is only for those with “problems.”

Executive coaching is a perk. A benefit. A growth accelerator.

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Mini Self-Assessment

Take this brief self-assessment to begin uncovering your EQ strengths and weaknesses – the first step in your journey to a more productive, more profitable, and more fulfilled professional life.

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Read Roberta’s Latest Article on

Read the latest insights on emotional intelligence, productivity, and professional fulfillment from founder, executive coach, and official member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Roberta Moore.

What Our

EQ-i Clients Say

“With Roberta’s background in both business and psychology, she understood our environment and how to navigate it. She is a humble, grounded leader and she knew how to draw things out of individuals and then addressed those issues in a very professional, non-judgmental way. The coaching has helped our entire team…we have become more communicative, approachable, and thoughtful in our responses. This change has made people more comfortable bringing ideas to the executive team…and the more ideas considered, the more our business flourishes! We are better listeners, which has strengthened our relationships with each other and also with our clients.”

Gerard M Hempstead, CPA, CFP®, Managing Partner, Northwestern Mutual – St. Louis

“Now our culture is one where better up-front accountability explanations occur, with a softer, more human approach. The team communication and collaboration is greatly improved, resulting in better ideas, a more streamlined work process, and an enhanced workplace environment.”

CEO of an EQ-i Coach not-for-profit agency client

“I first met Roberta through Focus St. Louis’ CORO Women in Leadership program and was immediately blown away by Roberta and emotional intelligence. Not only did I learn so much about myself and my emotional intelligence weaknesses, Roberta shared tips and techniques for how to improve. I have since invited Roberta to work with my own organization and our leadership teams. Thank you, Roberta!”

Carrie Gallagher Crompton, President 2018-20, Junior League of St. Louis

“I went into Roberta’s class not knowing what EQ was or how it pertained to me, but I left very interested in the subject. I purchased Roberta’s book and am very interested in exploring EQ subject matter and expanding my EQ. It was a great class and a great presentation. Thank you!”

Nathan Webb, St. Louis Branch Manager, dormakaba

“Roberta enabled my team to think introspectively about their contributions to the team and office culture, as well as helping us all understand how we can maximize overall performance as we refine our individual contributions using emotional intelligence. After her workshop, there wasn’t a single individual on my 23-person team that didn’t find Roberta’s explanation and activities helpful!”

Nichole R. Mercier, Ph.D., Managing Director, Office of Technology Management, Washington University
“Roberta facilitated an incredibly engaging and interactive Enterprise University course. It can be challenging to engage attendees and encourage participation in a webinar, but Roberta did both flawlessly!”
Gabrielle Costales, Sr. Events Manager / Enterprise Bank & Trust

“Thank you to Roberta Moore for facilitating a wonderfully informative virtual event last Thursday “Creating the Workplace of the Future with EQi.”

Cheryl Throgmorton, Ed.D., SPHR, President, STL-ODN

“Thank you so much for adding your expertise and guidance to our event last week! It was a pleasure working with you and you did a great job on your session and keeping the audience engaged – Your presentation was well-executed, and the level of chatroom activity shows the audience was quite taken with it as well!”

Jenna Kippert , Conference Director, Dynamic Global Events

“Your Enterprise University session, “The Power of Being an Empathetic Leader,” was a HUGE success. We already have received some survey responses back, and they are all very positive!”

Stacey Smith, Marketing Coordinator, Enterprise Bank & Trust

“Thank you so much for your presentation today on The Power of Being an Empathetic Leader. This was one of the best presentations on this topic that I have seen.”

Michele Cartwright, Director – Human Resources, Best Transportation

“Your presentation to the authors group was fantastic!  I learned a lot and you were a very engaging speaker.”

Linda Goldstein, CEO Coach / Peer Group Chair Vistage Worldwide - St. Louis, MO

2022 State of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace Survey Report

Download EQ-i Coach’s 2022 Survey Report to discover the largest EQ barriers and opportunities for companies now and into the future.

HOW CAN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

scale your company?