TEIQue-guided coaching helped a struggling manager shift to listening and problem-solving, resolve a near-dismissal, and lift team engagement by +3 points.
"What makes the difference between good and great leaders?"
This question haunted an organization struggling with wildly inconsistent results from their leadership team. On paper, these executives looked remarkably similar – all displaying High Dominance profiles on DISC assessments, all driven and results-oriented.
Yet some inspired extraordinary performance while others created toxic environments with alarming turnover rates.
What invisible factor was creating this dramatic difference in outcomes?
The organization implemented a comprehensive leadership assessment initiative combining DISC and TEIQue© assessments. This dual-lens approach allowed them to look beyond surface behaviors to the trait emotional intelligence foundations underneath.
They focused specifically on leaders sharing classic High-D traits:
The analysis revealed a stunning insight – two distinct leadership archetypes emerged from the same High Dominance foundation:
These leaders combined:
While these leaders often achieved short-term results, they created unsustainable cultures characterized by fear, compliance rather than commitment, and revolving-door turnover. Their leadership approach remained rigid and one-dimensional.
These leaders integrated:
These leaders consistently delivered strong results while building engaged teams and developing future talent. Their dominance translated into clarity and decisiveness rather than intimidation and control.
The organization discovered that trait emotional intelligence wasn't just a "nice-to-have" soft skill – it was the critical differentiator determining whether dominance became destructive or developmental.
High turnover, inconsistent performance, low engagement scores, and siloed departments
Improved retention, consistent results, higher engagement, and enhanced cross-functional collaboration
In several notable cases, technically brilliant but emotionally limited leaders were paired with deputies whose trait emotional intelligence complemented their directive strength – creating leadership synergies that delivered exceptional results.
Building on this success, the organization implemented:
This case illuminates the transformative power of combining DISC and TEIQue© assessments, revealing that the critical difference between exceptional and toxic leadership often lies not in what leaders do, but in the trait emotional intelligence that shapes how they do it.
Copyright (c) K. V. Petrides/LPL 1998 - 2025. All rights reserved.
