The Three Pillars of Leadership: EQ, Strategy, and Collaboration

Leadership may seem simple from one perspective, yet in reality it is built upon a complex interplay of many factors. For the 21st-century leader, the challenge is not limited to pursuing profit alone, but to leading effectively on three fronts simultaneously: psychological resilience, economic performance, and team cohesion. Only those who can balance these dimensions of leadership are able to create long-term, sustainable success.

The Psychological Front: The Art of Leading Yourself and Others

The very first challenge any leader faces is learning to lead themselves. In today’s fast-changing business environment, every decision carries pressure and risk. Remaining calm, focused, and psychologically resilient becomes a leader’s first victory.

Yet psychological leadership goes beyond self-control. It requires:

• Empathy — understanding and supporting the emotions of team members.

• Active listening — making others feel valued and heard.

• Stress management — sending positive signals that shape a healthy team atmosphere.

According to research from Harvard, leaders with high EQ (emotional intelligence) not only drive higher performance but also build more stable and enduring teams.

1. Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft)

   When Satya Nadella took over Microsoft in 2014, his first priority was transforming the company’s internal culture. He replaced “competitiveness” with “empathy,” encouraging employees to see each other not as rivals but as collaborators. As a result, Microsoft’s culture became more open and innovative, with psychological safety serving as the foundation for the company’s revival.

👉 This is a clear example of leadership driven by emotional intelligence.

2. D. Enkhtuvshin (CEO of Gerege Systems)

   Enkhtuvshin, the head of fintech and digital solutions company Gerege Systems, has created an open and psychologically safe environment for his young team. In the high-pressure, high-risk world of startups, he reframed failure not as a mistake but as a learning opportunity. By doing so, he fostered shared resilience — a key factor in Gerege’s growth and success.

👉 Another real-world example of leadership rooted in emotional intelligence.

The Economic Front: Strategic Calculation and Decision-Making

The next major front for any business leader is the economic landscape. This is not merely about balancing income and expenses, but rather about the ability to:

• Anticipate market shifts and assess risks,

• Recognize opportunities for innovation,

• Maintain financial stability while pursuing growth.

In today’s world, factors such as inflation, currency fluctuations, and rapid technological change are reshaping the business environment on a daily basis. Economic sensitivity, therefore, is not just about keeping a company profitable — it is about preparing for future opportunities through sound strategy.

Some leaders, for instance, become so focused on short-term profits that they neglect investments in innovation and human capital. Companies that ignore these areas often lose their competitive edge in the long run.

1. Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX)

   Elon Musk has often made highly risky decisions, yet he remains a defining example of leadership on the economic front. In 2008, during the financial crisis, Tesla was on the brink of bankruptcy. Musk invested nearly all of his remaining personal wealth to save the company. While extremely risky, his long-term strategy and market foresight ultimately positioned Tesla as the global leader in electric vehicles.

👉 A story of leadership that demonstrates vision-driven decision-making in the midst of economic crisis.

2. B. Bolor-Erdene (Former CEO of Mobicom Group)

   As the head of one of Mongolia’s largest telecom companies, Bolor-Erdene faced significant economic challenges. At a time when mobile calls were declining, she recognized that relying solely on voice and SMS revenue was unsustainable. She strategically invested in data services and digital products, ensuring Mobicom’s long-term growth and stability.

👉 A powerful example of strategic leadership shaped by economic foresight.

The Team Front: Unlocking the Power of Collaboration

The third and most human-centered front of leadership is team management. A leader cannot achieve success alone — true victories are collective victories.

Key principles of team leadership include:

• Proper placement — aligning team members’ talents with the right roles.

• Trust and empowerment — involving members in decision-making to increase engagement.

• Recognition and reward — combining financial incentives with psychological appreciation.

Google’s Project Aristotle revealed that the secret of the most productive teams was not individual brilliance, but mutual psychological safety — a culture where people felt safe to voice mistakes without fear.

1. Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks)

   When Starbucks was still a small coffee chain, Howard Schultz built the company’s success not only on its products but also on the value placed on its people. He elevated coffee shop employees by calling them “baristas,” treating them as professionals, and providing benefits such as health insurance and stock options. As a result, Starbucks became more than just a coffee retailer — it grew into a company where employees could build pride and identity.

👉 A prime example of harnessing team strength to elevate organizational culture.

2. N. Munkhsaikhan (Founder of Mongolia’s first “Sharkhai Rag” Brewery)

   In 1997, when Munkhsaikhan founded Mongolia’s first brewery, he created an entirely new market in the country. As he expanded the business, his focus was not only on production but also on trust in his team. By empowering skilled engineers and technologists to implement their own initiatives, he raised both the culture and quality of production to an international standard.

👉 A powerful example of leadership that builds value through collective strength.

Conclusion: Victory on All Three Fronts

True leadership is not the strength of one dimension, but the harmony of three.

• Psychological — the resilience of the leader and the ability to understand others.

• Economic — long-term strategy and sustainable decision-making.

• Team — creating value through collective strength.

Leaders who achieve victories on all three fronts are the ones who bring lasting, meaningful change — becoming role models not only within their companies but also across society.