Emotional Intelligence Training: How Human Skill Development is Transforming Workforces
Satya Nadella transformed Microsoft's culture with empathy. Apple's Tim Cook is known for his quiet confidence and deep listening. Gail Kelly led the Australian banking sector by putting people first.
What do these leaders have in common?
Emotional intelligence.
In workplaces where pressure runs high and change is constant, emotional intelligence (EQ) has become a defining trait of successful leaders and high-performing teams. It's the ability to understand yourself, connect with others, and respond with empathy, clarity and impact.
That's why the world's most forward-thinking organisations invest in emotional intelligence training. When people lead with EQ, they collaborate better, manage stress more effectively, and show up in ways that strengthen culture and drive performance.
Here's how some of the world's top companies are using emotional intelligence training to build stronger teams and better leaders.
Why Emotional Intelligence matters
Emotional intelligence (EQ) can be defined as the ability to recognise, manage and respond to emotions, both in yourself and others. What happens when you boost your emotional intelligence? It leads to higher engagement, better decision-making, improved communication and more resilient teams. Studies have linked EQ to stronger leadership, higher productivity, and even better financial performance.
One global study by Carat found that emotionally intelligent companies significantly outperformed both the S&P 500 and FTSE 100 in shareholder return. The Harvard Business Review calls EQ the key differentiator between good and great leaders.
So, how are the world's top companies using emotional intelligence training to get ahead?
Google: Putting emotional intelligence at the heart of innovation
Back in 2007, a Google engineer, Chase-Meng Tan created a program called Search Inside Yourself. The goal? Teach emotional regulation and mindfulness to some of the most analytical minds on earth.
Built on neuroscience and behavioural science, the program helped leaders improve self-awareness, empathy and focus under pressure. As the Search Inside Yourself Institute proclaims, "Leadership skills are emotional intelligence skills."
What began as an experiment became a global movement, influencing Google's leadership culture and spreading to thousands of professionals worldwide. Since 2009, Google's share price has increased by more than 900%.
Coincidence? Unlikely. Carat has even named Google the world's most emotionally intelligent brand.
Ernst & Young: Developing emotionally intelligent leaders
Ernst & Young (EY) has consistently ranked as one of the world's best places to work. A big part of that is its commitment to self-awareness and mindfulness as core elements of leadership development. They’ve even done research into how leading with EQ can help people successfully manage business change.
The company's global mindfulness and self awareness training programs
help employees at all levels manage energy, reduce stress and stay present.
As Clif Smith, the programs’ architect, put it: "Emotional intelligence is a key foundational set of skills for leadership and relationship building."
By developing their emotional intelligence leadership skills, EY is shaping leaders who are more self-aware and capable of seeing opportunities and building stronger relationships.
PepsiCo: Emotional intelligence that drives results
PepsiCo embedded emotional intelligence into its leadership and sales training programs and saw a direct business impact. Managers trained in emotional intelligence leadership skills reported stronger communication, better conflict resolution, and greater team trust. It encouraged a psychologically safe culture where team members felt safe to express ideas and emotions, resulting in innovative solutions and improved performance.
The company has since expanded the emotional intelligence training to include stress management tools, mindfulness resources and support for employee wellbeing, solidifying emotional intelligence as a foundation for sustainable performance.
L'Oréal: Selling with emotional intelligence
At L'Oréal, emotional intelligence has become a performance driver. L'Oreal selected some of its salespeople and trained them through its normal channels. They then selected another group and had them go through emotionally intelligent training.
The results were incredible.
Salespeople who completed EQ training consistently outperformed their peers, generating over $2.5 million more in annual revenue. They sold $91,370 more than other salespeople did.
The takeaway is simple: customers respond to emotional intelligence. They trust professionals who listen, adapt and build genuine rapport.
Starbucks: Empathy on the front line
Despite the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of retail and hospitality, Starbucks has found a way to create strong human connections at scale.
Emotional intelligence training is now a key part of their onboarding and daily team development. Managers learn to lead with empathy, and team members are encouraged to build meaningful relationships with each other and with customers.
The result? Higher engagement, lower turnover, and a consistently strong customer experience. Their approach has boosted retention rates to 65% in a high-turnover industry and contributed to 7% annual revenue growth, highlighting EQ's impact on customer satisfaction and operational success.
What are the outcomes of emotional intelligence training?
When emotional intelligence training is done well, the impact can be transformative for individuals, teams and companies. Teams become more collaborative, leaders communicate with greater clarity and empathy, and individuals are better equipped to manage stress, setbacks and disruption.
As proven by the case studies above, some top outcomes of emotional intelligence training include:
Stronger leadership through improved self-awareness, empathy and decision-making
Better communication across teams and departments
Higher engagement and lower turnover of staff
Improved conflict resolution and trust within teams
Increased performance across sales, customer service, and innovation
A more resilient, adaptable culture.
The bottom line? It’s not just about personal growth, it’s about business performance.
Invest in EQ training as a strategic advantage
Google, PepsiCo, EY, Starbucks, and L'Oréal are shining examples of how investing in emotional intelligence can lead to stronger leaders, more resilient teams, and more innovative, adaptable organisations. Their success stories should inspire and motivate you to consider emotional intelligence a strategic advantage for your company.
If there's one thing these companies show us, it's that emotional intelligence needs to be more than a training program; it must become a mindset, a muscle, and a core part of your strategy if you want it to help you lead through change, build high-performance teams, and stay competitive.
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