Why EQ Might Be the Missing Link in Your Business Development Strategy
Sep 05, 2025
Struggling to bring in business beyond referrals?
It’s probably not your CRM or your email automation.
It’s your EQ.
I’ve seen technically sharp recruiters with every system in place:
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Making cold calls
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Setting up outbound emails
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Running Clay workflows and automations
But they still don’t get the results they want.
The missing piece? They’re not reading the room.
They’re not adapting.
They’re not connecting.
Emotional intelligence isn’t fluff. It’s functional.
It’s what helps you shift a stalled conversation into a signed agreement.
Here’s how it shows up in real recruiting work:
• Self-awareness to spot when your tone or approach is off
• Self-regulation to stay calm when a client pushes back on your fee
• Motivation to keep going after a dry month without blaming the market
• Empathy to adjust your message to where the hiring manager actually is
• Social skill to navigate doubt, hesitation, and pushback with trust
Most clients don’t wake up wanting to hire another recruiting agency.
There’s usually a backstory, a bad experience, a few failed searches, or internal pressure that’s building.
And when you show up talking about your process, your value, your performance?
You’re missing the mark.
Because what they really want to buy isn’t just expertise.
They’re buying:
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Comfort
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Confidence
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Clarity
Three things they didn’t get the last time they tried to solve this problem.
If you’re struggling to connect in your messaging, your content, or your calls, the fix isn’t louder outreach.
It’s a shift in focus.
Start with them, not you.
That’s how you build trust.
And that’s how you land business that sticks.
Ready for a Smarter Approach?
If you’re a consultative recruiter and want a clearer system for winning better work — without wasting time on the wrong roles — book a 30-minute LinkedIn Roadmap Call.
We’ll walk through your strategy and show you the exact approach we’d use in your seat.
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