Get to know each person on your team and understand what makes them tick. Be clear about your expectations and the behaviours that are important to being part of the team. Ask for and give feedback regularly and, where possible, in the moment. Over time, this helps you build a reputation as a strong and trustworthy leader. Create a team culture where people feel safe, supported, and able to grow. I can often see what you haven't said, and I can hear what you haven't said. That can sometimes unsettle people, particularly those who may already feel insecure or threatened, so I have learned that how you use that awareness matters.

I am two metres tall, so I can naturally intimidate people without intending to. One of the ways I have learned to manage that is by sitting down when I speak with someone. It changes the dynamic, helps people feel more comfortable, and signals that they are in a safe space to speak openly and that they can trust me. I think emotional intelligence in leadership is the capacity to be aware of your own presence and influence, regulate and express your emotions appropriately, and build interpersonal relationships with empathy, judgement, and intention.