Emotional Intelligence at Work
Emotional intelligence (EI) is increasingly becoming an important skill for professionals who seek growth. Individuals with better emotional intelligence are known to be more successful, build better relationships with colleagues or clients, and are more effective as leaders. It is an essential skill to cultivate for both professional and personal life as it allows you to communicate effectively, build healthy and productive relationships, resolve conflicts, and be more positive.
Research shows that EI can have a positive impact on our health and overall well-being. We are better equipped to regulate our emotions, preventing us from becoming overwhelmed by negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, or depression. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, individuals with higher levels of emotional intelligence reported lower levels of stress and higher levels of life satisfaction.
About emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and those of others well. It consists of four key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. Self-awareness involves understanding your emotions and how they impact your thoughts and behaviors. Self-regulation involves managing emotions effectively to maintain focus and make rational decisions. Social awareness involves recognizing and understanding the emotions of others. Relationship management involves using your emotional intelligence to build and maintain strong relationships with others.
Overall, EI allows you to better understand and manage your emotions, as well as those of the people around you. It helps you empathize with others, which is essential for building healthy relationships. By developing emotional intelligence, you can improve your job performance, build better relationships with colleagues and clients, experience less burnout, and become more effective as a leader.
Cultivating EI
In our busy lives, it can be difficult to find time to connect with ourselves and reflect on our emotions. However, taking the time to stop and introspect is essential for developing EI. Through self-reflection and self-assessment, we can become more aware of our emotions and how we manage them. This awareness provides an opportunity to respond to situations in a productive manner and gain a better understanding of how we perceive and respond to others. For example, if someone yells at you, good EI can help you respond appropriately and empathetically rather than mirroring their emotion.
Expert Travis Bradberry promotes these three things as key to getting started on improving your emotional intelligence – keeping stress under control, maintaining good sleep hygiene, and avoiding caffeine in the evening. Consider these to develop and improve your EI:
Learning: Observe your emotions, recognize triggers and reactions to different situations, and develop a better understanding of how your emotions affect your behavior. Keeping a journal or talking to a trusted friend or colleague can help learn about and gain insights into your EI.
Establishing a routine: Creating a routine to connect with your emotions is important. If you disconnect from your emotions and the events that cause them, it becomes easy to burn out. Routinely introspect to understand how you feel, accept the emotions, and create a constructive dialogue with them.
Practicing mindfulness: Another way to develop emotional intelligence is through mindfulness practices. Mindfulness helps us stay in the present moment, and be aware of our thoughts and emotions without judging them. This can help us become more aware of our emotions, understand them better, and respond to them more effectively.
Connecting with others: Building a team is more than just getting things done. It’s about connecting with people professionally and personally with the intention of understanding them. Continuously improving listening and speaking skills is crucial. Intentionally show interest in what others have to say. Be accessible, and create an environment that provides room for constructive feedback and appreciation.
Improving your emotional intelligence not only helps you respond better but also influences the general mood of those around you. It is a foundational skill. People with improved emotional intelligence are more likely to collaborate, respond to colleagues with empathy, resolve conflicts effectively, and stay calm under pressure. Therefore, it is increasingly becoming a sought-after skill for leadership roles.
Improved EI requires continuous effort
Individuals with improved emotional intelligence tend to be more engaged in activities they are passionate about, have a positive outlook on life, and find balance in their lives. They also cultivate healthy relationships with those around them. However, improving emotional intelligence is an ongoing process. Most individuals with high emotional intelligence make a conscious effort to be self-aware of their emotions, manage them, stay motivated, empathize with others, and invest in their relationships. This helps them navigate challenges better and achieve success.