What is Emotional Intelligence?
Life is filled with all different kinds of emotions, and sometimes it can be hard to deal with the negative ones. Feeling sad, angry, stressed, or anxious at times is ineveitable. However, how we deal with these emotions is what matters. This is why having a high level of emotional intelligence is so important. This involves your ability to be aware of and manage your emotions as well as empathize with others. There are 5 components:
- Self Awareness: The ability to recognize your emotions and triggers and understand how they may affect others.
- Self Regulation: The ability to control your emotions and think before you act.
- Intrinsic Motivation: The desire to do something to fulfill inner needs and goals.
- Empathy: The ability to understand the emotions of other people.
- Social skills: Tools that help you communicate and interact with other people in a positive and effective way.
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Emotional intelligence is an important factor to consider in the workplace. A study conducted by UC Berkeley found that emotional intelligence was four times more effective at predicting success than IQ. Employees need to be able to effectively communicate with coworkers and clients to be efficient, cultivate a positive work environment, and develop healthy relationships. They also need the capacity to self reflect and regulate their emotions so they can be successful.
Here are the benefits of improving emotional intelligence in the workplace:
- Allows for healthy communication so an organization can reach their goals
- Creates a positive atmosphere
- Improves ability to stay calm in stressful situations
- Deepens connections between employees
- Increased flexibility and improves response to change
- Improves ability to overcome obstacles
- Increases motivation to understand individual emotions and those of others
How to Improve Emotional Intelligence
Self Awareness
Our actions and emotions can have a huge impact on other people if we don’t know how to regulate them. Self awareness helps us recognize and deal with these unpleasant emotions. It also allows us to understand our strengths and weaknesses and be open to self improvement.
Here are some ways to improve self-awareness:
- Journal
- Ask for constructive feedback
- Practice mindfulness
- Reflect on experiences
- Work on building a growth mindset
- Be aware of your thoughts and emotions
- Set goals
Self Regulation
There are both positive and negative ways to deal with unpleasant emotions. Self regulation helps you manage and express them effectively. When you are able to self regulate, you tend to adapt well to change and manage conflict well.
Here are some ways to improve self-regulation:
- Find healthy ways to manage difficult emotions
- Look at challenges as opportunities
- Work on effective communication
- Practice accepting your emotions
- Use positive self-talk
- Reframe negative thought patterns
Intrinsic Motivation
We are more likely to achieve our goals when our motives are intrinsic versus extrinsic. Rather than being motivated by money or recognition, it’s important to pursue goals to fulfill internal needs and passions.
Here are some ways to increase intrinsic motivation:
- Focus on setting SMART goals
- Avoid using extrinsic rewards too often
- Celebrate small wins
- Introduce new challenges often
- Pursue your passions
- Find enjoyment in the process
Empathy
Not only is it important to recognize other people’s emotions, it’s also important to respond appropriately. Empathy allows you to cultivate deeper and more positive relationships with others. When you are truly able to understand other people emotions, it is much easier to communicate effectively and manage conflicts.
Here are some ways to build empathy:
- Share your own feelings
- Practice active listen
- Talk to new people
- Imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes
Social Skills
Being able to interact well with others is key to improving emotional intelligence. Having strong social skills allows you to communicate and interact with others effectively, which improves relationships. In the workplace, this creates a stronger rapport with leaders and coworkers. These skills include verbal and nonverbal communication skills, leadership, and persuasiveness.
Here are some ways to strengthen social skills:
- Ask open-ended questions
- Practice good eye contact
- Practice active listening
- Show interest in what other people are saying
- Be aware of your body language
- Be mindful and practice these skills often
Working to improve emotional intellgience will not only help you grow as a person, but it will also help improve your workforce. It allows you to understand yourself and those around you better so you can reach your full potential and cultivate a positive environment for those around you.