Two Qualities of Emotionally Intelligent CMOs
CMOs need emotional intelligence to lead, align teams, and drive growth.
The role of the Chief Marketing Officer has expanded far beyond creative vision and campaign execution. CMOs are now at the center of business growth, responsible for influencing revenue, aligning cross-functional teams, and building strong customer relationships. To succeed at this level requires not only strategic and analytical acumen but also a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI).
Emotional intelligence—or EQ—is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions while recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. At its core, it enables leaders to connect authentically, navigate complex organizational dynamics, and inspire performance across diverse teams.
While some individuals may naturally possess a higher degree of EQ, it is a skill set that can—and must—be intentionally developed. For CMOs leading enterprise organizations, two qualities are particularly critical: self-awareness and self-management.
Develop Self-Awareness to Understand Your Emotions
Self-awareness is the ability to accurately recognize your own emotions, understand how they influence your behavior, and appreciate the effect they have on others. For leaders, this is more than a reflective exercise—it is the foundation for effective communication and decision-making.
In practice, self-awareness allows you to calibrate your leadership approach. Consider two scenarios: if a team member is struggling, a self-aware leader recognizes their distress and shifts into a supportive, empathetic mode that provides encouragement. In contrast, if a colleague is in a lighthearted, optimistic state, that same leader can match their energy to foster connection and strengthen trust.
Without self-awareness, those same interactions can derail. A poorly timed joke in a serious conversation may come across as dismissive, while unnecessary seriousness in a moment of levity may distance you from your team. For CMOs managing large, distributed organizations, the stakes are even higher. Your ability to read the room, understand context, and adapt your communication style directly influences employee morale, cross-functional alignment, and ultimately, business performance.
Self-awareness requires consistent practice. It means pausing to reflect on your reactions, seeking feedback, and staying aligned with your values while being mindful of others’ perspectives. Over time, leaders who master self-awareness not only improve relationships but also position themselves to make better, more grounded strategic decisions.
“For enterprise CMOs, EQ is not a “soft skill”—it’s a business-critical capability.”
Practice Self-Management to Translate Insight into Action
Awareness without action is ineffective. That is where self-management comes into play.
Self-management is the ability to regulate your emotions and behaviors in order to perform effectively, especially under pressure. It encompasses discipline, adaptability, stress management, and the maturity to translate awareness into meaningful action. For CMOs—who are often balancing aggressive revenue targets, organizational change, and customer expectations—self-management can be the difference between reactive leadership and calm, decisive influence.
For example, imagine realizing that you tend to dominate conversations in executive meetings. A self-aware leader might notice this tendency, but a self-managed leader takes it further—choosing to speak less, listen actively, and elevate other voices in the room. This conscious choice demonstrates both discipline and respect, strengthening credibility and fostering collaboration.
Conversely, being self-aware but unmanaged can undermine leadership. Teams quickly notice when leaders recognize their shortcomings yet fail to act on them. It creates a perception of inconsistency and erodes trust. The most effective emotionally intelligent leaders avoid this pitfall by ensuring awareness and management work hand-in-hand.
Leverage EQ to Influence Teams and Drive Growth
For enterprise CMOs, EQ is not a “soft skill”—it’s a business-critical capability. Marketing leaders sit at the intersection of brand, revenue, and customer experience. To influence outcomes across these domains requires not only data-driven strategies but also the ability to connect with people at every level of the organization, from board members to frontline teams.
Leaders who practice both self-awareness and self-management are better equipped to build alignment, inspire confidence, and sustain high performance. They can adapt to dynamic market conditions while keeping teams engaged and motivated. In short, they transform emotional intelligence into a competitive advantage.
In Conclusion
The modern CMO’s effectiveness is defined not just by strategic vision or analytical expertise, but by the ability to lead with emotional intelligence. Self-awareness provides the clarity to recognize how one’s emotions shape interactions, while self-management ensures those insights are translated into actions that build trust and drive results. When practiced together, these qualities enable CMOs to lead with authenticity, resilience, and impact.
As the role continues to evolve around growth, emotional intelligence becomes a true differentiator. CMOs who intentionally strengthen their EQ are better prepared to navigate complexity, unite cross-functional teams, and inspire performance at every level of the organization. By embedding self-awareness and self-management into their leadership, they not only elevate their own effectiveness but also create a sustainable advantage for the enterprise as a whole.
About John Fildes
I grow the top line by connecting marketing to business strategy. By leveraging powerful positioning, content marketing, and client insights, I help organizations drive qualitative and quantitative results at scale.
I've built an amazing network of incredibly talented people over the years. What I've appreciated most is those who have invested in me, mentored me, and helped me become the talented professional I am today. I pay it forward by doing the same for other high performing professionals and entrepreneurs.
Learn More: Marketing Leader | Adept Entrepreneur | People Developer
All views are my own and not those of my current or prior employers.
