Why Emotional Intelligence Is The Next Competitive Edge For Marketers

"When I began my career in marketing, I assumed that success came from mastering campaign mechanics, analyzing consumer data and presenting flawless strategy decks. Those skills were important, but as I moved across industries, I discovered that the marketers who stood out were not only skilled technicians. They were listeners, connectors and bridge builders. They had emotional intelligence."

"Emotional intelligence-as describedby Merriam-Webster as "the ability to recognize, understand, and deal skillfully with one's own emotions and the emotions of others"-has become one of the most important skills in business. A study by TalentSmart found that 90% of top performers in the workplace score high in emotional intelligence. For marketing, this makes sense. The work is about understanding human behavior, anticipating needs and creating connection. Without empathy and self-awareness, even the most sophisticated campaign risks falling flat."

Maria Alonso is an award-winning marketing strategist and industry disruptor known for redefining advertising with bold campaigns and iconic brands. Early career focus on campaign mechanics, consumer data, and flawless strategy gave way to the realization that emotional intelligence distinguishes top marketers. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and deal skillfully with one's own emotions and the emotions of others. A TalentSmart study found 90% of top performers score high in emotional intelligence, which helps marketers understand behavior, anticipate needs, and create connection. In an era of AI and declining consumer trust, emotional intelligence prevents tone-deaf campaigns and fosters authentic brand relationships and team innovation.

Read at Forbes