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It’s easy to confuse emotional intelligence (EI) with people-pleasing, especially for leaders who value connection and want to create harmonious workplaces. Both involve being attuned to others’ emotions and responding thoughtfully. But while they may look similar on the surface, they stem from very different motivations and lead to drastically different outcomes.

Burnout does not always arrive as full exhaustion. Sometimes, it shows up as emotional disconnection.

You’ve seen it before—brilliant minds that can solve complex problems in seconds but struggle with self-awareness, empathy, or emotional regulation. They thrive in strategy meetings, yet their leadership presence lacks warmth. They have all the answers, yet they can’t handle criticism.

So why does high intelligence so often come with a struggle in emotional intelligence (EQ)?