Are you emotionally intelligent? You may never have given it a thought, but if you’re reading this post, it’s because something about the concept of ‘emotional intelligence’ has caught your attention. Perhaps it’s because, until a few years ago, the words intelligence and emotion did not sit well together in the same sentence, and this – underpinned by unfounded prejudices about the weakness and lack of rationality of expressive or sensitive people – has given rise to the collective belief that feelings are incompatible with clarity of thought.
Well, we’re here to debunk this myth and tell you that, yes, it is possible to be empathetic, sensitive and emotionally intelligent – and that, what’s more, developing these qualities will be a great help to you in your career. Read on to find out how to apply emotional intelligence in the workplace!
When do we say that someone is emotionally intelligent?
People often confuse the act of repressing emotions or not to express them – thinking that being emotionally intelligent means just that – but nothing could be further from the truth: suppressing emotions is never a good idea, and what we must learn is to manage them to our advantage. For example, in a conflict between two colleagues with differing interests, the person who best expresses their opinion – whilst respecting the other party, without adopting a submissive stance, and always with the aim of reaching a win-win.
However, disputes are not always resolved in a way that benefits both parties, and we will find ourselves obliged to adapt and abide by decisions. It is at this point that emotional intelligence must come to the fore. If we focus on the business environment, a person is emotionally intelligent when they do not allow themselves to be carried away by their emotions, when they are able to think before acting, and when they take action to achieve their professional goals. To do this, they must remain calm and work on skills social skills and practising active listening are essential.
Put these 10 techniques into practice to improve emotional intelligence in the workplace
Self-awareness: encourage self-assessment and set aside time in your daily routine for personal reflection. To do this, carry out a self-assessment about your own emotions, strengths and areas for improvement.
Active listening: Pay attention to what your classmates, colleagues, clients and superiors say, showing interest and empathy towards their concerns and feelings.
Emotional self-control: learn to manage your emotions effectively in challenging work situations, avoiding impulsive reactions and making more rational decisions.
Communication assertive: express your thoughts, feelings and opinions clearly, respectfully and directly, fostering open and constructive communication in the workplace.
Empathy: develop the ability to understand and empathise with others’ emotions, recognising their perspectives and showing a genuine interest in their needs and concerns.
Teamwork: fosters an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual support, recognising and valuing the contributions of each team member.
Conflict resolution: develops skills to deal with conflicts constructively, seeking effective solutions for everyone and promoting open communication to foster mutual understanding.
Flexibility and adaptability: learn to adapt flexibly to changes and unforeseen situations.
Motivation: cultivate a positive, goal-oriented mindset by setting challenging yet achievable goals and drawing on your inner motivation to achieve them.
Emotionally intelligent leadership: you cannot be a good manager without emotional intelligence in the workplace
Just as it is very important for a company’s employees to be emotionally intelligent, it is even more so for a leader, as making decisions, managing conflicting interests and recognising the value of others’ work is no easy task.
For effective leadership, a balance must be struck between empathy and firmness, discipline and flexibility, and a human-centred and a corporate perspective. Thus, the qualities that a good manager should possess in relation to emotional intelligence in the workplace are: the empathy, the ability to motivate to the team, the self-awareness and self-criticism, the humility, to be self-taught, the determination, the safety, the charisma and to know how to to encourage rational thinking to act objectively when faced with a dilemma in which emotional factors also play a part
In conclusion, by creating a working environment that fosters emotional intelligence and supports employees’ development and wellbeing, both the organisation’s productivity and its reputation will benefit.
Are you curious to find out more about the qualities that make you emotionally intelligent and how to develop them? Keep exploring the Educa.Pro blog and continue your professional development.
