When people think of strength in law enforcement or leadership, they often picture physical toughness, sharp decision-making, or relentless resilience. But those are incomplete without something deeper—emotional intelligence.
The Emotional Ring isn’t about being emotional. It’s about being aware. It’s about being in control. It’s about reading the room—and yourself—with precision.
Dr. Cathy Greenberg, one of our nation’s leading voices on emotional intelligence and a valued partner in our work, teaches that EI isn’t soft—it’s strategic. It’s what separates good leaders from unforgettable ones. It’s the ability to manage your internal world, recognize the emotional temperature of those around you, and respond—not react—with purpose.
But in public safety, there’s a trap: we’re trained to suppress.
We deal with trauma, emotion, chaos—and we learn quickly to shove it down so we can function. Over time, that coping mechanism becomes a wall. And that wall becomes a liability.
When you disconnect from your own emotions, you lose the ability to interpret others’. You miss what matters. You get blindsided—not by the threat on the street, but by the breakdown at home, in your team, or in your soul.
Emotional intelligence gives us access to a wider toolkit.
- It helps us pause before we escalate.
- It helps us lead with empathy—not just command.
- And it helps us build trust by showing we get it—not just enforce it.
Challenge of the Week:
Feel it. Name it. Channel it.
Once this week—on the job, with your family, or alone—when something triggers you emotionally (anger, frustration, guilt, even joy), pause. Ask:
“What am I feeling?”
“Where is this coming from?”
“How do I want to respond?”
Write it down. Even if it’s messy. Emotional intelligence starts by noticing.
You can’t manage what you don’t recognize. And you can’t lead others well until you lead yourself well—emotionally, internally, intentionally.