The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
Recognizing your own behaviour is key for effective leadership.
Emotional intelligence is one of those things that people don’t talk about in the workplace, yet it is the driving force for healthy relationships in both personal and professional environments.
Psychologists who study emotional intelligence claim that it is actually more important than general intelligence. And when it comes to the workplace, having emotional intelligence can easily drive your team to success.
Emotional intelligence is defined in the dictionary as the “capacity to be aware of, control and express one’s emotions.” When we develop a higher awareness of our mental state, we can then build more positive relationships with the people around us judiciously and empathetically.
The reason I enjoy being on an online blogging platform is that it gives me a voice. It gives me a way to connect with others, on an emotional level.
Writing is not just a way for me to announce the latest news on Medium, but it’s also a way for me to be empathetic. To be understanding. To be human.
The building blocks to a successful relationship is simply an exchange for value. If you want to be appreciated, appreciate others. If you want to be treated kindly, be kind to others. Caring means to actually be caring.
I attended a workshop on emotional intelligence in my hometown recently and it was refreshing to see how many people were interested in the topic. However, it was also rather alarming to learn the number of people who were unfamiliar with the term too.
What people don’t realize is how important emotional intelligence is for a successful workplace. When leaders are emotionally intelligent, they can foster environments where employees feel comfortable to suggest ideas and voice their opinions.
Want to develop your emotional intelligence? Here are the top 5 ways to identify, understand and manage your emotions more effectively.
1. Reflect on your emotions.
People who are emotionally intelligent take responsibility for their own actions.
Research has shown that uncontrolled emotions can have a negative impact on your mental health, making you vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Not being able to understand, acknowledge, or manage your own emotions, can lead to an inability to form strong relationships.
To identify your emotions more effectively, start examining your behaviour by asking yourself a few questions. Once you start exploring the potential triggers in your life, you can find more positive ways to regulate them.
- What is triggering this feeling?
- Am I getting along with the people around me?
- How is my home life?
2. Practice empathy with others.
Leaders with empathy actively support the personal growth of their colleagues.
The key is fostering empathy and compassion is to see the situation through another person’s eyes. When we see things from a different perspective, we can ask ourselves questions like:
- Why do they feel the way they do?
- What are they dealing with in their personal lives?
3. Ask constructive questions.
Criticism can be difficult to accept, especially if you’ve invested your blood, sweat, and tears into a project you are passionate about.
Instead of reacting emotionally to a situation, consider the following:
- What can I learn from this perspective?
- How can I use this feedback to help me improve?
As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, failure is good for success. If you’ve had a negative experience with how things have evolved in your workplace, use it as a stepping stone to get where you want to be.
4. Think before you speak.
Oftentimes, we are inclined to jump on opportunities that seem ideal at the time but we haven’t given ourselves a moment to reflect.
The truth is, there is a difference between responding and reacting. In many cases, people who don’t invest in their EQ experience emotional triggers and behave in a way that becomes passive aggression. It is easy for them to unravel in stressful situations as they are not able to handle their own emotions.
If you are under a stressful situation, remember to take a deep breath before speaking. Be mindful of your vocabulary to your colleagues. Learn how to give a genuine compliment.
5. Be aware of yourself.
You can’t be a good leader without self-awareness.
Becoming self-aware allows you to understand other people and how they perceive you. It is having the ability to recognize yourself as an individual separate from your social environment.
Once you have a clear perception of your own personality, including your strengths, your weaknesses, your motivation, and your beliefs, you will be able to develop more genuine interactions with the people around you.
One of the things I do to invest in my emotional intelligence is to embrace my own vulnerability. I don’t want to paint an idealistic picture of what I want you to see me as, but simply a picture of who I am.
I realize that I am not a perfect human being.
But then again, what is perfect?
Where do these ideals come from anyway?
Why are we programmed to believe that we should be a certain way?
The truth is, emotions aren’t bad. In fact, they make you just a little bit more human.
