Emotionally Intelligent Leaders

Jane Addams: An Emotionally Intelligent Leader

Throughout history, there have been many great feminists and social activists.
There are many women who have changed history and made their mark on the world.
Few however, can be titled as “the greatest woman in the world” and still regarded today as a pioneer social woman in United States history (Times, n.d).
Jane Addams, Born in 1860, knew at a young age that life was not all ice cream and trips to the toy store. As the daughter of a well-to-do businessman, Jane was exposed to the best and the worst of the business industry. Although she was given the finest opportunities in life, she was quick to recognize that there were those with less who needed her assistance (Segal, N., n.d.) Her real calling came in the early 1880s when Ms.
Adams visited a settlement house, Tonybee Hall, in London’s East End. Addams spent time with the poor, deprived, and neglected, developing a sincere love and empathy for those in need. As a result of this trip, Addams founded the Hull House in an underprivileged area of Chicago in 1889. Addams and her colleague Ellen Starr provided shelter to the homeless, took care of children, nursed the sick, and listened to the outpourings of the troubled (Jane Addams –, n.d.). It is at this moment that I believe Jane
Addams journey to becoming an emotionally intelligent leader truly began. Her years forward from this point exemplify a great leader in every aspect. Addams presents all the emotional intelligence qualities of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. I believe she is the perfect example of an empathetic, emotionally aware, and compassionate leader.

In their book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Bradberry and Greaves state “social competence is your ability to understand other people’s moods, behavior and motives in order to improve the quality of your relationships” (2009). Addams used her social competence skills to further not only own position in society, but to better the lives of those less fortunate than her. After the opening of Hull House in 1889, Addams began to take on more civic responsibility. In 1905 she was appointed to Chicago’s Board of
Education, and in 1908 she contributed to the founding of Chicago School of Civics and
Philanthropy. She participated in several peace movements, including being elected the national chairman for the Women’s Peace Party in 1915. During this time in her life,
Addams was quoted as saying “… social advance depends quite as much upon an increase in moral sensibility as it does upon a sense of duty…” (Addams, 1910). Her attitude towards others and her ability to understand them greatly helped to not only gain these positions, but to create actual change. At Hull House, Addams was intimately active in the daily lives of those less fortunate. She was able to understand how they felt, because she listened to their stories and spent so much time with them. Those at Hull house felt as though they were appreciated, and understood. As a result, Addams was a loved leader who was easy to follow. With a strong social awareness as her foundation,
Addams was a leader that people wanted to get behind.
Adams was not only adored and respected by those at Hull house, but by those she worked with as well. At the International Peace Conference in 1915, a co-attender
Emily Bach was quoted as saying “Miss Addams shines, so respectful of everyone's views, so eager to understand and sympathize, so patient of anarchy and even ego, yet always there, strong, wise and in the lead. No 'managing', no keeping dark and bringing

things subtly to pass, just a radiating wisdom and power of judgement.” (Woman’s Peace
Party, n.d.). I feel that this quote from Ms. Bach exemplifies the quality of
“consciousness of others” as outlined by Shankman and Allen in their book Emotionally
Intelligent Leadership. They state that consciousness of others is “as person’s ability to empathize, inspire, influence, coach, manage conflict, and effect change” (2008).
Addams was clearly viewed by those around her as someone who could inspire and influence change. She also brought her empathetic attitude with her across all facets of the social spectrum. She took a stance of pacifism and always fought for the underdog.
Addams understood that her ability to empathize was one of her greatest “weapons” in creating change. I also feel that the quote from Ms. Bach indicates a strong level of relationship management in Ms. Adams. Good relationship management skills ensure
“clear communication and effective handling of conflict” (Bradberry & Greaves, 2009).
Her level headed and open method of leadership made those around her feel as though they were recognized, instead of bowled over and tossed to the side.
In addition to great social competence, Addams also demonstrated great personal competence. Historically, a lot of great (or if not great, at least powerful) leaders are known for their loud powerful speeches, for their hot tempers and split decisions, and for striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. Although that may be one way to be a
“leader” that was not the Addams way. Jane Addams was widely regarded as compassionate, well spoken, wise, and understanding. Although I obviously didn’t personally know her or get to hear her speak, I feel that these qualities only come forth in someone who is self-aware. Self-awareness is “your ability to accurately perceive your own emotions in the moment and understand your tendencies across situations”

(Bradberry & Greaves 2009). I cannot speak personally for Ms. Adams, but as a general rule of human nature, when we are put in a tight or stressful situation our emotions tend to get the best of us. When dealing with impassioned subjects such as basic human rights and women’s rights, there was bound to be a conversation or two where Addams felt hot under the collar. Despite these challenging circumstances, Addams always maintained her composure and temper. I believe that whether she knew it or not, Addams had acutely honed self-awareness skills. She was aware of her emotions in those situations, and rather than let them get the best of her and rise to the surface, she pushed passed and showed the world her true potential as a leader.
I personally believe that because of her advanced social competence and selfawareness skills, Jane Addams is the perfect example of an emotionally intelligent leader.
She spent her life fighting to make other people’s voices heard, and left a lasting legacy that can still be felt today. If it were not for her empathetic attitude, inspiring influence, and passionate position for change, I do not believe that Addams would have be able to achieved even a fraction of what she did in her lifetime. Much of what Addams accomplished should be a great lesson for us all, including her exemplary emotional
intelligence.