Becoming a great manager is a process that is both tough and delicate. You’re only human, but how you wield your strengths and weaknesses has a profound impact on the team dynamic. It’s true that, managing others requires a certain level of intelligence, but the most essential kind is one you may have overlooked: emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize your own emotions and exercise them in a way that helps your interpersonal relationships, while also practicing empathy to recognize the feelings of others. When this critical ability is lacking, it results in palpable tension and friction between team members and their manager. When put into practice wisely, emotional intelligence can foster transparent communication and a sense of trust between these parties.

If you aspire to inspire, heed these five basic principles of emotional intelligence.

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