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The CEO’s New Superpower: Why Emotional Intelligence, Not Just Strategy, Defines Great Leadership By Greg Coticchia

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Pennsylvania, US, 5th November 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, In the high-stakes world of tech leadership, the traditional markers of success revenue, market share, product launches, and investor confidence often dominate the conversation. But after thirty years in the trenches as a six-time CEO, two-time COO, and now as a coach at CEO Coaching International, I’ve come to believe that none of these achievements mean much without one critical ingredient: emotional intelligence.

I’ve spent my career founding companies, leading turnarounds, executing successful exits, and transforming legacy businesses into modern SaaS powerhouses. At Sopheon, for example, we transitioned from a consulting-heavy model to a cloud-native SaaS platform, a shift that demanded technical precision and deep emotional leadership. Change is uncomfortable. People fear uncertainty more than they fear failure. What gets a company through that kind of transformation isn’t just strategy, it’s trust, empathy, and the ability to connect with people where they are.

This is the real differentiator between good CEOs and great ones.

The Myth of the All-Knowing CEO

There’s a romanticized idea that a great CEO is a lone visionary who knows all the answers and commands the room. But the CEOs I’ve seen thrive, especially in today’s climate, are not the loudest or most forceful personalities. They are the ones who listen.

When I coach leaders, I tell them: Your job isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to create the conditions for the right answers to emerge. That shift in mindset requires emotional intelligence to read the room, to detect fear before it becomes resistance, to inspire confidence without ego.

This doesn’t mean CEOs should abandon strategy or financial discipline. It means they need to anchor both in self-awareness and empathy. You can’t lead transformation if you don’t understand the people you’re asking to change.

Lessons from the Frontlines of Innovation

Throughout my career from my early startups to public company boardrooms, I’ve seen how emotional intelligence drives innovation. It’s not just a soft skill; it’s a growth multiplier.

When I helped guide Sopheon through its transformation to a SaaS model, we weren’t just changing a product, we were changing a culture. I had to help teams let go of the old ways of working, reimagine their purpose, and trust a new process. The emotional toll was real. But so was the reward: a thriving business that successfully exited to a private equity firm.

Similarly, in founding and funding 14 startups, I’ve learned that emotional intelligence isn’t optional in entrepreneurship, it’s survival. Startups live on uncertainty. The ability to stay grounded, to maintain morale, and to lead with transparency during volatility is what separates those who scale from those who stall.

I’ve raised over $73 million in venture capital and been through 17 mergers and acquisitions. In every deal, negotiation, and hard pivot, human connection was the difference-maker. The spreadsheet never closes the deal. The story does.

Emotional Intelligence Is Measurable and Coachable

At CEO Coaching International, we work with hundreds of CEOs around the world, helping them scale faster and lead better. What I’ve seen time and again is that the best leaders aren’t necessarily the most experienced but they’re the most self-aware.

They know their triggers. They understand how their moods affect their teams. They balance ambition with humility.

And here’s the good news: emotional intelligence can be developed. I’ve seen leaders who started out purely metrics-driven learn to lead with empathy and their performance skyrocketed. Employee retention improved. Innovation increased. Customers noticed.

In fact, a McKinsey study found that organizations with emotionally intelligent leadership are 20% more likely to outperform their peers. But beyond the statistics, there’s a deeper truth: when people feel seen, they give more of themselves. And that’s the foundation of sustainable growth.

The Shift in Leadership Culture

We’re entering a new era of leadership. The old model of command and control is dying. The new model of connect and inspire is thriving.

This shift is especially pronounced among the next generation of leaders. I teach at the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business and founded Carnegie Mellon University’s Master’s in Product Management: the first program of its kind globally. What I see in young leaders is both exciting and challenging: they demand meaning, transparency, and humanity in their work. They won’t follow leaders who lead from fear. They’ll follow those who lead from authenticity.

To me, that’s not just a generational preference, it’s a competitive advantage. Companies that cultivate emotionally intelligent leadership are more adaptable, more resilient, and more attractive to top talent.

The Human Side of Growth

Let’s be honest: leadership is lonely. The higher you climb, the fewer people you can confide in. I’ve been there: staring at the numbers late at night, questioning decisions, feeling the weight of payroll and investor expectations.

What pulled me through wasn’t bravado; it was balance. Learning when to push and when to pause. When to fight for the vision and when to listen to dissent. Emotional intelligence gave me that balance and it gives CEOs today the same.

At its core, business is about human relationships. You can automate processes, but not trust. You can buy attention, but not loyalty. You can scale operations, but not authenticity.

As leaders, we have to remember: growth without humanity isn’t sustainable. Profit without purpose doesn’t last.

Coaching CEOs to Lead with Heart and Precision

In my coaching work today, I help CEOs master this duality to be both visionary and grounded, strategic and empathetic. I draw on decades of operational experience from launching 100+ products to managing multimillion-dollar exits but I always come back to the same question: How are you showing up as a human being?

That’s where transformation starts.

Because when CEOs lead with heart, it cascades. It shows up in how teams communicate, how customers are treated, how innovation happens. It builds cultures that last, where performance and purpose aren’t at odds but intertwined.

Final Thoughts: Redefining Strength

We often mistake emotional intelligence for weakness. It’s not. It’s courage in its purest form.

It takes courage to admit you don’t have all the answers.
It takes courage to be transparent when things go wrong.
It takes courage to listen when your instinct is to defend.

But that’s the kind of courage that builds enduring companies and enduring leaders.

After thirty years of leading, founding, acquiring, and teaching, I can say with certainty: the CEOs who win aren’t just the smartest in the room. They’re the most human.

And that’s a lesson worth repeating in boardrooms, classrooms, and everywhere leadership is redefined.

About Greg Coticchia

Greg Coticchia is a Partner and Coach at CEO Coaching International, a six-time CEO, two-time COO, award-winning entrepreneur, and educator. He has raised over $73 million in venture capital, participated in 17 M&As, launched more than 100 products, and led companies to successful exits. He is also the founding executive director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Master’s in Product Management program.

For more information, visit : https://ceocoachinginternational.com/ and https://gregcoticchiainsights.com/

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Ministry of Mauritius Along With Minister of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka Inaugurated Skill Expo at the Bengaluru Skill Summit

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6 minutes ago

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November 5, 2025

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> The Inauguration ceremony was attended by other key ministers from Government of Karnataka

>The Skill Expo is a remarkable pavilion with 50+ exhibitors

Bengaluru, India, 5th November 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Envisioned as Karnataka’s premier platform for workforce development, Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 witnessed the inauguration of the Skill Expo, showcasing cutting-edge training solutions and technologies on the 2nd day of the summit by Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon. Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood and Medical Education, Government of Karnataka, Shri Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, and E, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka., Dr. M.C. Sudhakar Hon. Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, and Hon. Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Government of Mauritius.

The Skill Expo has over 50 exhibitors across industries showcasing innovations, global best practices, and scalable models facilitating B2B, B2G, and G2G networking. The inauguration was preceded by a Ministers Panel, one of the key highlights of the day discussing “Convergence of Education, Skills & Industry for a trillion USD Economy by 2032” presided by Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood and Medical Education, Government of Karnataka; Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, and Electronics, IT & Bt, Government of Karnataka and Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka moderated by Madan Padaki, Managing Trustee, Head Held High Foundation.

Honoring Karnataka’s rich legacy of nurturing performing arts as a vital skill, Karnataka Vaibhava presented a Grand Visual Dance Drama Production performed by Shivapriya School of Dance, Bengaluru and NANDA Performing Arts, Dubai concluding the day on a vibrant note uplifting Karnataka’s cultural heritage, bringing together classical and folk dance, theatre, and music in perfect harmony.

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World AI Show – Malaysia 2025 Concludes with a Resounding Success, Bringing Together 1500+ Leaders to Shape the Nation’s AI-Powered Future

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21 minutes ago

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November 5, 2025

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5th November 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, The World AI Show – Malaysia, held on 28–29 October 2025 at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, concluded with resounding success, bringing together 1500+ national policymakers, enterprise leaders, and global AI visionaries to shape Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda.

The two-day summit – organised by Trescon – served as a strategic platform for driving discussions around Malaysia’s National AI Strategy, digital government, and enterprise innovation, in alignment with the country’s vision of becoming a regional AI powerhouse.

Government and Industry Leaders Unite for Malaysia’s AI Mandate

The summit featured a powerful fireside chat on “Malaysia’s AI Mandate: Turning National Vision into Industry Action” with Shamsul Izhan Bin Abdul Majid, Head of the National AI Office (NAIO), and Adrian Chew, Partner at EY, setting the tone for transformative dialogue on how Malaysia is turning its national AI aspirations into actionable outcomes.

Other notable sessions included:

  • “National AI Strategy & Digital Government: Public-Private Collaboration” featuring Dr. Rusnita Isnin Hamdan (Jabatan Digital Negara) and Budiman Bujang (Johor Corporation), moderated by Ow Yung Shen (Boston Consulting Group).

  • “AI for Good: Empowering Sustainability Through AI” by Satpal Singh (PLUS Malaysia).

  • “AI’s Growing Impact on Cyber Resilience” with leaders from BAT APMEA, Axiata Group, and AHAM Asset Management, moderated by Ekneswaran Matandor (OC Global Technology).

  • “AI as a Catalyst for Business Reinvention” featuring Senheng Electric, CARSOME, DHL IT Shared Services, and Petra Energy, moderated by Jamie Tan (JLL Malaysia).

alongside several other thought-provoking sessions that showcased how Malaysian enterprises are harnessing AI to drive efficiency, resilience, and innovation.

Spotlight on Innovation: The Future Tech World Cup – Malaysia Edition

The event also showcased the Future Tech World Cup – Malaysia Edition, where promising startups pitched their solutions to an esteemed jury of investors and innovators. IPINFRA emerged as the winner, impressing the judges with its innovative AI-driven solution and strong potential for scalability. The win also brought them recognition among some of Malaysia’s most influential business and technology leaders.

Driving Collaboration and Real-World Impact

Through interactive panel discussions, fireside chats, and closed-door networking sessions, World AI Show facilitated cross-sector collaboration between government agencies, enterprises, academia, and technology providers – fostering actionable partnerships aimed at scaling AI adoption across industries.

Trescon on Malaysia’s Path to AI Leadership

“World AI Show – Malaysia has once again demonstrated the incredible synergy between government vision, industry expertise, and entrepreneurial innovation,” said Anil Kumar, Chief Operating Officer at Trescon. “It’s inspiring to see Malaysia taking decisive steps toward becoming a regional leader in AI and emerging technologies.”

About the Event

World AI Show is part of Trescon’s global series of summits dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging technologies. With editions across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the platform brings together global thought leaders, technology experts, and innovators to accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation.

Media Contact:

Trescon PR & Communications Team
media@tresconglobal.com | www.tresconglobal.com

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The inaugural edition of CARE in Dubai is set to accelerate green innovation and investment across the MENA region

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November 5, 2025

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Dubai, UAE, 5th November 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, The inaugural edition of CARE (Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability) forum series by Trescon, is set to become the MENA region’s most influential platform for sustainability investment and climate innovation. The forum will unite regional and global leaders driving the Middle East’s clean energy transition. Co-located with DATE, a Digitization, AI & Emerging Tech Summit, CARE MENA will take place on 26-27 November at the iconic Madinat Jumeirah.

“With the GCC committing billions to renewable infrastructure, CARE MENA offers a unique, action-oriented platform where capital meets climate ambition,” said Naveen Bharadwaj, Group CEO, Trescon. He continued, “From solar and hydrogen to green finance and industrial decarbonisation, the series will spotlight investable opportunities that support net-zero goals and drive regional climate action.”

Talking about the series, Jens Y. Zimmermann, President, Orios Venture Partners, said, “Looking forward to CARE and learning more about new developments, trends & investment opportunities in climate & renewable energy.”

For start-ups, scale-ups and climate tech ventures, CARE MENA is a launchpad and a great opportunity to secure investments.

“I’m looking forward to CARE as a platform to uncover investment opportunities in climate tech and renewables,” said Kevin Holliday, CEO, Venturebeam. Ahmed Refaie, CEO & Global CIO, G.P.I. Global Partners Investments Limited said, “CARE gives an opportunity for climate finance and investment practicing professionals to deploy capital in an environmentally impactful and responsible way.”

Whether seeking Series A investment, strategic partnerships or market access, participants will gain direct exposure to venture capital firms, institutional investors, family offices, and sovereign funds. Backed by some of the region’s most prominent investors — from the Royal Group and Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) to ARM Holding, Venturesouq, Plug and Play, and others — CARE MENA is set to spark high impact collaborations.

Talking about the opportunities at CARE, Sofia Kostiunina, Managing Director, 100VP commented, “From the VC perspective, I see CARE as an excellent platform to identify breakthrough opportunities in renewable energy and climate tech.”

Flagship initiatives include:

  • ClimateTech World Cup: A global start-up competition spotlighting breakthrough sustainability solutions and connecting founders with investors, corporates, and media.

  • CARE Launchpad: A platform showcasing disruptive applications, research and whitepapers to ignite funding, influence and collaboration.

  • CARE Innovation Programme: International pitch competition spotlighting student-led sustainable innovations tackling real-world climate challenges.

CARE ESG Awards, hosted by Trescon and supported by ESG MENA, will also spotlight and celebrate the “Responsible Investor of the Year” and the “Young Sustainability Pioneer of the Year”. Sessions at the summit will explore regulatory reform, capital flows and technology deployment, with a sharp focus on commercial viability and regional scalability. With the help of its sponsors including Emtribe, Cero Hero, Enjazponic, S&P Global and others, CARE MENA will also feature investor roundtables, pitch sessions and partnership forums — ensuring that conversations lead to commitments.

For founders, it’s a chance to pitch to decision-makers. For corporates, it’s a front-row seat to the next wave of green innovation. And for investors, it’s access to the region’s most promising ventures and infrastructure projects.

Get involved with CARE MENA or visit the CARE series website to stay tuned.

For further enquiries, contact:   

Shadi Dawi

Global Director – PR & Media

M: +971 55 498 4989 | E: shadi@tresconglobal.com

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