Why Emotional Intelligence Isn’t Enough Anymore (And What Today’s Leaders Really Need)
By Christine Higgins | Founder, Embodied Energy Wellness | Creator of the Embodied Energy Leadership Method
Once upon a time, emotional intelligence (EQ) was the gold standard of modern leadership.
And don’t get me wrong—it still matters.
A lot.
But here’s the truth no one’s saying out loud:
EQ alone isn’t cutting it anymore.
Not in today’s high-pressure, post-pandemic, purpose-hungry workplaces.
Not when leaders are burnt out, teams are disconnected, and people are desperate to feel safe, seen, and energized again.
So what’s the missing piece?
Beyond EQ: What Leaders Really Need Now
The next evolution of leadership goes deeper than emotional intelligence.
It requires embodied energy awareness.
It’s no longer just about understanding your emotions. It’s about learning how to manage your nervous system, read energy in a room, lead from alignment—and model it so others can do the same.
Welcome to The Era of Embodied Leadership.
Why EQ Isn’t Enough on Its Own:
1. EQ is Cognitive. Embodiment is Somatic.
Knowing how you feel is helpful. But if your body is in fight-or-flight mode 90% of the day, your awareness won’t translate into healthy action.
Emotional awareness without nervous system regulation still leads to reactive leadership.
2. EQ Helps You Respond—But Embodiment Helps You Reset.
Leadership isn’t just about conflict resolution and clear communication. It’s about energetic presence.
Can you stay calm when others are panicking? Can your energy regulate a room? That takes embodiment.
3. EQ Teaches Empathy—But Embodiment Creates Safety.
Leaders with EQ might understand their team’s struggles.
But leaders with embodied energy awareness create spaces where people feel safe enough to be honest, innovative, and human.
And that’s where the real magic happens.
Introducing The Embodied Energy Leadership Method
This is the method I created for the leaders, founders, and high-performers who know there’s more.
More depth. More integrity. More connection. More aliveness.
It’s a five-pillar framework that brings together:
✅ Nervous system regulation
✅ Emotional intelligence
✅ Energetic presence
✅ Intuition
✅ Purpose-driven alignment
And it’s being delivered in boardrooms, wellness retreats, executive offsites, and Zoom rooms across the globe.
Want to Lead From Alignment, Not Adrenaline?
Here’s how we can work together:
🔹 Book a corporate wellness workshop for your team
🔹 Bring me in for a speaking engagement or panel discussion
🔹 Experience the full transformation through executive coaching or an energy reset retreat
Let’s create a culture where wellness isn’t just encouraged—it’s embodied.
Christine Higgins
Founder, Embodied Energy Wellness
hello@christinejhiggins.com
www.embodiedenergywellness.com
Your Turn:
Have you ever felt the limits of emotional intelligence in leadership? What would change if you could lead from full-body alignment instead of mental overdrive?
Let’s open the conversation.
