James Kelly is the director for Frederick County Public Libraries. He has over 18 years of experience working in public libraries, with the last seven years in an administrative capacity. Before his time with Frederick County Public Libraries, he worked for Carroll County from 2010 to 2014 as assistant director for public services. Kelly brings an understanding of the special qualities that have brought more than a million visitors through the doors of Frederick libraries in the past year. His experience at FCPL allows him to make an immediate impact on the community.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence, the ability to identify emotions (in both yourself and others), to recognize the powerful effects of those emotions, and to use that information to inform and guide behavior has been identified as a powerful predictor of business success, particularly when it comes to being a leader. when you’re able to identify and appropriately respond to both your own emotions and those of others, you’re able to provide yourself and them with exactly what’s needed to be successful in a variety of situations.
Kelly explained the importance of emotional intelligence perfectly, “I think the most important quality in leadership is emotional intelligence. No matter what your job is all of our jobs are about relationships and emotional intelligence is a big part of that. Being able to be in tune with your own emotions, being able to read the emotions of others, and being able to navigate forward is very important,” he said.
According to Kelly, after delegating, an exemplary leader connects with their people. When you walk in the door, they are going to look to you for guidance, so leave unrelated baggage at the door. Listen to them when they speak to you, connect with them more than just a boss-subordinate relationship. You’re both people with real emotions, so be present when speaking to your colleagues. A little personal attention, he says, builds strong bonds that will aid you in keeping you, your business, and your coworkers successful and at ease.
“The degree to which you can put aside all of the other things you’re thinking about and be fully present for the person in front of you leads to success.”
Kindness is key in business, and as James said in his video, you should be thinking about how your own mood affects the moods of your coworkers. Take a deep breath when entering the office space and become the leader people can look up to. Listen to them, understand them, and show compassion.
Kelly recommends this material to read over, watch, listen to and reflect on. They cultivated in him new ways of seeing, an attribute, he says, that is critical for any new leader.
Podcasts:
- 99% invisible
- Revisionist History
Books:
- Delivering Happiness: a Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose | Tony Hsieh
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking | Susan Cain
- Our Towns: a 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America | James and Deborah Fallows
And this address by David Foster Wallace to the Kenyon College graduating class of 2005
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