Emotional Intelligence - abbreviated as EI as well as EQ - is widely recognized as the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and in the process, tune into the emotions of another individual.
An emotionally intelligent individual possesses higher levels of certain key elements such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills that make him/her better able to communicate emotionally and nurture interpersonal relationships. Especially in the workplace where individuals spend the best part of their lives, emotional intelligence is highly valued for keeping the team motivated to perform better.
Studies have proved that emotional intelligence is linked to job satisfaction and work performance. Here are a few examples of high and low EQ in the workplace.
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace (Examples)
1. Compassion for a Colleague who is Upset
Individuals are complex creatures and can end up feeling moody or depressed sometimes at the workplace. How an individual interacts with his/her colleague when the latter is having a bad day at work is a fair indication of that individual’s level of EQ. An individual who observes moodiness in his/her colleague but does nothing to offer mental or moral support is an example of a person with very low EQ. Some individuals with low EQ may even go to the extent of criticizing their colleagues when they are feeling down. On the other hand, an individual with high EQ would immediately reach out to the moody colleague, empathize and attempt to cheer him/her up with a possible solution.
2. Listening to Each Other During Meetings
It is not every day that meetings proceed well in a productive manner. Sometimes, meetings turn chaotic with everybody talking at the same time and either not offering any input or resulting in heated debates. An employee who patiently listens to the opinion of other team members in a meeting and refrains from interrupting has a fairly high level of EQ. Leaders with such a high level of EQ are perceived as extremely capable of motivating and empowering a team to accomplish more.
3. Freedom to Express
Individuals who are comfortable speaking about matters that are important to them and equally at ease in listening to others speak about their opinions possess a high EQ in the workplace. Such individuals are probably also skilled in expressing their emotions in a manner that is appropriate. On the other hand, individuals who keep their thoughts to themselves or get agitated when others disagree with them in the workplace clearly lack emotional intelligence. Such individuals argue with their colleagues and resent it when others share their personal opinions.
4. Adaptable to Change
If the management team in an organization is open to new ideas and welcomes constructive change with open arms, we could say the team has a high EQ. On the other hand, organizations that are led by leaders with very poor emotional intelligence resist change and actively hinder the progress of employees who bring in innovation and creativity.
Advantages of High EQ in the Workplace
When an organization is led by people with high EQ, the team can better comprehend and communicate with other people, making it easier to create and maintain a shared team vision. Emotionally intelligent individuals are able to manage the anxiety and stress associated with the corporate world due to their highly developed communication skills.
A lack of emotional intelligence among employees and key members in the workplace could adversely affect productivity, efficiency, decision-making and communication strategies in the organization.
How Do You Become More Emotionally Intelligent?
Every individual has their own unique level of emotional maturity. Some skills may be more natural for certain individuals than others. However, emotional intelligence isn't an inherent skill. By gaining experience and training, you too can increase your ability to be emotionally intelligent at work.
Develop Greater Self-Awareness
The first step in improving your emotional intelligence starts by becoming more aware of yourself. Learn to identify your own emotions and be aware of what triggers them. Find out what kinds of situations cause certain emotional reactions. This can help you recognize your own strengths and weaknesses and take steps to improve them.
Practice Self-Regulation
Self-awareness is just the first step. The next step is to learn how to manage your emotions. This involves recognizing the right methods and occasions to express your emotions rather than merely reacting. Self-regulation involves a thorough understanding of the impact your emotions have on other people. Finding ways to reduce work stress, maintaining an even head and taking the time to reflect before responding or making decisions are methods to develop self-regulation.
Cultivate Your Intrinsic Motivation
People who have a high emotional intelligence discover ways to inspire themselves without the need for external motivational factors. To increase your motivational core, focus upon the parts of your job you are passionate about. Find the tasks or challenges that make you happy or fulfilled regardless of any external reward you could receive in exchange.
Become More Empathetic
Try to put yourself in someone else's shoes to learn the way they feel and then determine how you react to situations and conversations by keeping that perspective in mind. This is particularly important when conflicts occur. Empathy helps you comprehend and understand the dynamics that are not discussed between people.
Improve Social Skills
The ability to communicate and emotional intelligence usually go hand-in-hand. The ability to detect the emotions of other individuals helps people with high emotional intelligence to react appropriately. Improve your social skills by listening to other people and paying attention to non-verbal communication as well as identifying solutions to issues and reducing tensions whenever conflicts arise.
These are some of the ways you can display emotional intelligence at work. Mastering the art of emotional intelligence is a process that requires effort. Keep in mind that the greater emotional intelligence you and your team possess, the better are your chances to succeed.
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