Executive Career Strategist | Coachsultant® | Harvard Business Review Advisory Council | Forbes Coaches Council | Former Board Chair
Want to Earn More? Lead Better. One of the most direct, though rarely discussed, links in business is this: your income tends to rise in lockstep with your leadership capability. It is not just about technical mastery or tenure. Studies continue to reinforce what many of us have seen firsthand—leaders with high emotional intelligence, vision, and influence earn significantly more over time than peers who rely solely on subject matter expertise. In fact, a Harvard Business Review analysis found that high-performing leaders in the top quartile of emotional and social intelligence competencies earned over $30,000 more annually than their peers—and that’s at mid-levels. At the executive level, the gap widens dramatically. The Center for Creative Leadership also reports that executives with strong people leadership skills are promoted more quickly and receive higher total compensation than those with technical or operational strengths alone. So what should you focus on if you want to increase your earnings potential and elevate your leadership presence? Here are five traits to cultivate deliberately: 1. Strategic Thinking High-earning leaders think beyond the immediate and tactical. They connect the dots across teams, markets, and time horizons. Strategic leaders are seen as indispensable because they shape the future, not just manage the present. 2. Executive Presence This is not about image—it’s about how you carry authority, make decisions, and hold attention in high-stakes situations. Presence signals readiness. Without it, promotions and board invitations often stall. 3. Influence and Communication You can have the best ideas in the room, but if you cannot move people to act, you are leaving money and opportunity on the table. Great leaders cultivate clarity, listen deeply, and adapt their message to any room—from the front line to the boardroom. 4. Emotional Intelligence Self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation are not soft skills—they are leadership fundamentals. In high-income roles, leaders are paid not just to make decisions but to manage dynamics and build trust fast. 5. Resilience and Adaptability In today's climate, adaptability is a premium skill. Leaders who stay composed under pressure and pivot quickly are often tapped for high-visibility, high-reward roles. The bottom line: income growth often follows influence growth. If you're serious about earning more, focus less on doing more—and more on becoming the kind of leader whose value compounds across contexts. Whether you're an aspiring C-suite executive or already at the top, the next level almost always demands a new mindset. If you want to explore how to expand your influence, position yourself for bigger roles, and lead with greater impact—I’m here for that conversation.