As more studies show emotional intelligence improves employee productivity and job performance, it becomes a more coveted skill in the office.
Emotional intelligence is when you can understand the emotions of yourself and others and manage your own feelings well. It shows a balance between intellect and self-awareness.
Emotional intelligence is an asset. Studies show that emotional intelligence training improves employee productivity. That may be because emotional intelligence reflects an ability to make better decisions, problem-solving skills, and being a great communicator.
Emotionally intelligent people can come up with solutions from a holistic perspective.
Emotional intelligence is rated into four categories:
- Self-management. Thinking clearly when you feel stressed, anxious, or angry is challenging. Self-management is the ability to separate your emotions from how you should act.
- Self-awareness. You can change negative habits, thoughts, or behaviors by becoming self-aware. Your beliefs and emotions affect your thoughts and behaviors when you have a high level of self-awareness.
- Social awareness. Being socially aware means being able to “read the room.” This ability allows you to see social dynamics and understand what others need to feel comfortable. An indicator of social awareness is how well you can pick up on social cues and needs.
- Relationship management. A good relationship manager works well with others, manages conflict well, and builds positive relationships. Good interpersonal skills are indicated by good relationship management.
Are you interested in improving your emotional awareness to excel at work?
Follow these tips to build emotional intelligence:
- Practice self-awareness. Being self-aware entails being able to look at yourself objectively.
To develop this:
● Practice self-reflection in a journal daily.
● Notice when you are triggered.
● Think about the feedback you receive.
● Practice seeing things from other people’s points of view and not just your own.
2. Receive criticism with grace. Don’t react to criticism without thinking. Learn from criticism and grow from it.
3. See conflict as an opportunity to learn and understand more about others. It can be frustrating to deal with conflict, but it is inevitable. Take conflict as an opportunity to understand another person’s perspective instead of avoiding it.
4. Learn to “read the room.” Do you have a good sense of what people around you are feeling? Is there someone you can turn to when you need help? What “unwritten rules” do people follow at your workplace? Position yourself in your organization as a superstar or a changemaker if you can read the room.
5. Listen to others. Listening is a skill that people with high emotional intelligence possess. Do you talk all the time or make space to listen? Listen to what people say in meetings and ask what they think.
6. Speak up and express yourself. Speaking up when it matters is also a skill that emotionally intelligent people possess as excellent listening skills. Feel free to pitch your out-of-the-box ideas or make sure your opinions get heard!
7. Work to people’s strengths. Different people have different strengths and work differently. Adapt to the different types of people on your team. Create an environment where each person can thrive and be engaged and innovative.
People with higher emotional intelligence efficiently manage their stress levels, build better relationships, and read the room.
● The ability to manage your own stress levels enables you to lead a team through high-stress situations calmly.
● Maintaining good relationships with your team members will keep them motivated and engaged.
● Reading the room can also help you find the right person to approach when working on a problem or noticing a colleague is stressed.
Developing emotional intelligence will benefit you both at work and outside of it.
