Business EQ with Teeth - Turning Reflection into Results
Context: Resilience Meets Regulation
In high-compliance industries like energy, performance isn’t just about systems—it’s about people navigating pressure, complexity, and change.
One leading EU-based renewable energy organisation recognised that while its public-facing and complaints teams were technically strong and committed, the emotional demands of the role were starting to show. Stress was building, but not always acknowledged. Communication gaps were emerging—internally and externally. Staff were diligent but hesitant to assert themselves, and collaboration across teams felt constrained.
What began as a targeted coaching intervention for two managers revealed a broader behavioural pattern: low self-awareness, low adaptability, and low influence were quietly undermining performance. Not catastrophically—but cumulatively.
Without intervention, these patterns risked reducing trust with customers, weakening cross-functional collaboration, and eroding morale.
That insight sparked an 18-month organisational programme grounded in Business Emotional Intelligence - designed to help front-line staff to senior leaders and their teams better understand and manage their emotional behaviours at work, especially under stress.
The Approach: Making Business EQ Actionable
Over 18 months, 40 employees took part in a structured development process, powered by the Emotions and Behaviours at Work (EBW) assessment framework:
EBW Business Emotional Intelligence Compass
Orientation & EBW Business EQ Assessment
EBW Leadership Report & 1:1 Feedback
Individual Reflection Logs
One-to-Two Coaching Sessions
Development Action Plans
Monitoring & Evaluation
This wasn't theory.
It was Business EQ in action - designed to help employees use the EBW Compass to understand their emotional behaviours.
To intentionally shift them to improve outcomes for themselves, their teams, and their customers.
And importantly measuring how shifting these key emotional behaviours changed their performance and the people they worked with.
This is ensured that the effort being made by individuals was linked to a change in results and how the teams worked together.
What the Data Revealed: Blind Spots & Breakthroughs
Analysis across teams revealed behavioural patterns typical of a structured, regulated environment:
🧪 Group-Level Trends:
High Conscientiousness (up to 7.3 in some teams)
Strong Stress Resilience (average of 6.7)
Lower levels of Influence, Adaptability, and Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness scores dropped as low as 4.0 - well below the population norm of 5.5
These weren’t isolated outliers—they were signs of a consistent behavioural culture: capable, structured, but often cautious and emotionally underpowered in fast-changing situations.
One team, for example, showed strong emotional control and conscientiousness - but low adaptability and self-awareness. That might work in a stable setting, but in times of change? It could limit responsiveness and stifle collaboration.
Across multiple teams, the data consistently pointed to a need for:
Greater assertiveness in communication
More flexibility in working styles
Better self-insight and emotional reflection
The Transformation: Reflection → Action → Results
The Business EQ process didn’t just reveal patterns. It helped people change them.
Employees reported major shifts in their confidence, communication, and team impact. In their own words:
“I’m more engaged in meetings - ready to speak and contribute.”
“The EBW gave me the confidence to challenge myself.”
“I now reflect more, plan better, and feel more in control.”
Key themes emerged in the feedback:
✅ Confidence and Self-Belief
“Our session brought to the surface the background chatter in my head that was holding me back. I now feel motivated and excited.”
✅ Communication and Collaboration
“Better teamwork, better cooperation—and that leads to better outcomes.”
“I’m now more proactive in how I engage colleagues and express my views.”
✅ Strategic Focus and Productivity
“The EBW helped me focus on what’s really important—and stop being derailed by distractions.”
✅ Resilience and Self-Awareness
“I now stop when pressure builds and prioritise what's critical.”
“I’ve started asking colleagues for feedback—and acting on it.”
Results for the Organisation
The coaching sessions, EBW assessment benchmarks and feedback sparked measurable transformation:
📈 Participant-Reported Outcomes:
100% found the programme beneficial or very beneficial
Over 70% reported increased confidence, focus, and communication clarity
Many took specific action, including:
Initiating open conversations with colleagues
Challenging themselves to speak up in meetings
Addressing public speaking anxiety
Asking for feedback more regularly
Prioritising work-life balance and stress management
One team member said it best:
“I feel like I’ve had an injection of self-belief.”
The Lasting Shift: Making Business EQ Part of the Culture
The programme's success wasn’t just in the results - it was in the mindset shift it created.
People at all levels—from front-line to directors - began to see Emotional Intelligence not as a soft skill, but as a strategic one. A tool for reflection. For resilience. For stronger human connection at work.
What began as individual development led to broader cultural shifts:
✅ Improved productivity and strategic focus
✅ Increased team collaboration and morale
✅ Higher job satisfaction and retention
✅ Stronger demand for continuous development
✅ Greater emotional insight at senior leadership level
The EBW Assessments didn’t just measure performance behaviours - they helped benchmark success and create a shared language for change.
“There are cold hard truths in the report I’d been avoiding. The process helped me face them—and gave me a way forward.”
Let’s Talk Business Emotional Intelligence
This success story shows what’s possible when organisations take Business Emotional Intelligence seriously—and work with accredited professionals who can guide real, lasting change.
Whether you’re a leadership coach, consultant, or HR decision-maker, EBW Assessments give you the tools to:
✅ Benchmark the emotional behaviours that drive success
✅ Help leaders reflect, adapt, and lead with purpose
✅ Build high-performing teams in any sector or culture
👉 Want to bring EBW to your organisation or clients?
You can reach out directly to the coaches behind this success:
Geraldine Gallagher – Inspire Coaching
📧 [Geraldine Gallagher | LinkedIn]Colin Wilson – Business Athlete®
📧 [Colin Wilson | Linkedin]
Or, talk to us at EBW Global about how our assessments, tools and certification programme can help you deliver results like this with your own clients and teams.