How Emotional Intelligence and Empathy made me a more Confident Leader

When I first started managing a team I was about 25 and working in a fast-growing start-up. Most of the team were hardly a year younger than me - some were older. It was daunting!

I wanted the team to exceed expectations but I also wanted to be liked. It was hard to balance.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve led teams through challenging times, and built relationships that have stood the test of time. The difference? I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about growth, self-awareness, and effective communication. And, most importantly, it's about emotional intelligence.