Emotional Intelligence
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.
Emotional intelligence is generally said to include at least three skills: emotional awareness, or the ability to identify and name one’s own emotions; the ability to harness those emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.
These days, however, we are allowing emotions at work and recognizing the benefits of doing so. And emotional intelligence matters more than it used to because the workplace has changed because today organisations work largely in teams and groups
You might think that for your business to be truly successful you need smarter people, a better product, or a more strategic plan. But chances are what your team really needs is greater emotional intelligence (EQ).
Why is EI needed in the workplace?
Why is EI needed in the workplace?
In addition, leaders with higher emotional intelligence tend to have happier employees who then stay longer, reducing the costs of attrition, and try harder, increasing productivity. An article at Forbes cites examples of salespeople with higher emotional intelligence significantly outperforming other salespeople, and states that in a study of 515 executives, emotional intelligence was a higher predictor of success than experience or IQ.
How can business increase its EQ?
EQ is flexible. It’s something you and your business can improve or neglect. It’s a skill set you can choose to develop. Start by committing to:
Creating a more self-aware and humble culture - starting with yourself
Being more empathetic - seeing the world through someone’s eyes
Really listening before you respond -- making sure you fully understand
Initiating hard conversations
Asking for honest feedback
Taking responsibility for your actions - your past doesn’t define you
Acting like you can affect positive change
References
Anon, (2019). Emotional Intelligence. [Online] Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/emotional-intelligence
Duggal, N, (2019). Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: Why You Need It, How to Get It. [Online] Available at: https://www.simplilearn.com/emotional-intelligence-what-why-and-how-article
Duine, A, (2018). What Your Business Really Needs to Succeed. [Online] Available at: https://blog.una.com/news/what-your-business-really-needs-to-succeed