Emotional Intelligence is becoming more and more critical to the ability of leaders to be exceptional. Companies are no longer simply looking at a person’s performance track record, or how smart they may be, as an indicator of their employability. They are now looking deeper into the cognitive abilities of the leader, can they think on their feet, can they regulate their emotions, and can they remain calm in difficult situations. If we are to lead in 2023 and beyond, and if we have the desire to become exceptional, we must learn to lead with emotional intelligence.