Despite emotional intelligence (EQ) being the key to building resilience and trust in high-stakes, high-stress environments – whether in elite sports or business – many organisations still struggle to cultivate emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams through effective leadership.
Instead, companies typically prioritise critical business metrics, including revenue, safety and operations as being essential to their success, while others emphasise that their people represent their most valuable assets.
Just as championship teams rally around a shared vision, businesses must embrace EQ to drive both individual and organisational excellence. Success, whether in sports or corporate leadership, begins with a unified goal that every team member commits to. When individuals see their personal growth as tied to collective achievement, it fosters collaboration, strengthens resilience, and shifts the mindset from self-interest to shared success.
Like captains who rally their teams with conviction, strong leaders do not just set goals, they inspire belief in them. That emotional investment transforms a group into a unified force, driving resilience through setbacks and shared triumphs. Once that buy-in is secured, managing emotions – both highs and lows – becomes more structured, as individuals recognise their role within a greater purpose. Whether on the field or in business, true leadership turns ambition into collective momentum.
Former sports legends Victor Matfield and Andre Arendse recently attended a breakfast event centred on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Leadership in Sport. The gathering brought together sporting heroes and business leaders to explore how EQ has shifted from a perceived “soft skill” to a strategic necessity in both sport and business.
Directing emotions to strengthen the collective
From there, it is about refining how those emotions are channelled. Some individuals need encouragement, others need structure, and some thrive on competition. Leadership is not about suppressing emotions but about directing them in a way that strengthens the collective.
It is about recognising that some individuals thrive under tough accountability, while others need a more supportive approach. That is where EQ really matters – knowing who needs what to perform at their best.
If a leader chooses to ignore the emotional undercurrents in a high-pressure work environment like a mining operation, they risk creating a team that feels unheard, unsupported and disengaged. Suppressing frustration and anxiety does not eliminate them – it amplifies them beneath the surface, leading to resentment, burnout, and a breakdown in trust.
Just as captains steady their teams under pressure, corporate leaders must recognise that ignoring emotions in high-stakes moments can fracture trust and derail performance. When fear replaces motivation, decision-making suffers, collaboration weakens, and blame takes precedence over problem-solving.
A leader who acknowledges challenges openly, validates concerns and fosters a psychologically safe environment can channel emotions into problem-solving. Addressing frustration does not mean dwelling on negativity; it means recognising it, then pivoting toward collective resilience. When people feel heard, they are more likely to buy into solutions rather than resist them.
Success is not just about skill and strategy
Business leaders, like captains of elite sports teams, must too recognise that success relies not only on skill and strategy, but also on relationships and EQ. Whether in sport or the workplace, meaningful interaction beyond the immediate environment builds trust, empathy, and stronger connections.
Leadership plays a crucial role in enabling this. EQ goes beyond managing emotions—it involves understanding group dynamics, sensing the mood, and creating an environment where people feel valued and heard. When leaders focus on building this foundation, motivation grows naturally, and the team advances as a united whole rather than as disconnected parts.
Similar to elite sports captains who prepare their teams for every scenario, corporate leaders in high-stakes environments must balance preparation, accountability and emotional resilience. Success is not just about strategy; it is about ensuring every individual understands their role within the broader mission.
Ultimately, when leaders foster a culture where every individual sees themselves as part of something greater, personal disappointment does not derail the team’s momentum. Instead, the focus shifts to collective success.
Roland Innes is the Group CEO at DYNA Training.
