ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on several important concepts through a scientific lens, including emotional intelligence (EI) and social intelligence and the art of communication. The three areas related to EI are the brainstem, the limbic system and the neocortex. The limbic system is known as the emotional brain and is closely linked to EI. It is related to our emotional experiences through life that build the foundation for intuition, gut feelings and ideas. Elizabeth Jeffries articulates this beautifully in her book The Heart of Leadership, where she highlights the importance of “soft skills” as more important than analytical skills. These soft skills tug at our emotional base and prop up our egos when used in a positive way. Just as the phoenix is aware of when it needs to reinvent itself, the phoenix leader is aware of their level of EI and works to develop this skill to its full potential.
