What is a language most leaders never get taught?

Yesterday was International Literacy Day, and it got me thinking about a language we often forget to learn: emotional literacy.

We’re trained in strategy, finance, and tools. But how often are we trained to understand ourselves—or to really hear others?

Emotional literacy is more than naming feelings. It’s the ability to read the room, notice what’s unsaid, and catch signals in ourselves and others before they turn into frustration or disconnection.

It’s the very sense of our humanity. So why do we dismiss it so often?

In business, this matters more than we admit:

- Teams thrive when people feel seen, not just managed.

- Leaders gain trust when they listen beneath the surface.

- Collaboration deepens when we can articulate both needs and fears.

And in your personal life and growth, it is just as important: Emotional literacy helps us step out of autopilot and into choice. It gives us clarity, instead of reactivity.

Without it, we miss the very thing that makes us human in the first place: genuine, honest, heart-felt connection.

If you’re curious about how to strengthen this muscle for yourself or your team, if you'd like to check if your center of action is connected to your values, reach out!