Why One Biopharmaceutical Company Starts Leadership Development With Emotional Intelligence

Here are the key points from the article on Amgen’s leadership development program:

Emotional Intelligence Foundation: Emotional intelligence (EQ) is deemed the foundation of leadership development at Amgen. EQ enables leaders to possess skills essential for coaching, performance management, and situational leadership.
Skill Development: Leaders are trained in the four core skills of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. This foundation is expected to enable other leadership skills to be more effectively acquired.
Structured Approach: The program begins with an emotional intelligence self-assessment, followed by workshops, and a strategic development plan. Leaders are then expected to practice these skills throughout their leadership journey.
Continuous Development: EQ skills are seen as something that leaders need to continually measure, practice, and revisit. Regular reviews and updates to the development plan are considered crucial for improvement.
Coaching Environment: Leaders are trained to create the optimal environment for coaching conversations. EQ is leveraged to foster curiosity, listening, and a resistance to control outcomes.
AI-Powered Simulations: AI simulations and persona-based role-plays provide low-stakes practice environments where leaders can rehearse coaching conversations, refine their skills, and receive structured feedback.
Anchor Strategy: Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) is used to help leaders shift negative emotional states into more positive ones using chosen anchors like music.
Practical Takeaways: Leaders are advised to start with EQ assessments, treat coaching as a practice ground for EQ skills, and practice through multiple simulations to perfect their skill sets rather than relying solely on lectures.

If you want more detailed insights, it’s recommended to refer to the original article from which these points were drawn. The information provides a high-level overview aligned with Amgen’s approach to leadership development.