Emotional intelligence is a critical skill for success in any field. It’s what allows us to understand and control our own emotions, and to react effectively to the emotions of others.
As the workplace becomes more and more competitive, it’s important to develop your emotional intelligence skills so that you can stand out from the crowd. In this article, we will discuss 5 ways that you can become more emotionally intelligent at work!
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Before we dive into the ways that you can become more emotionally intelligent, it’s important to first understand what emotional intelligence is. Psychologists Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer, two of the leading researchers on the topic, define emotional intelligence as the ability to recognize and understand emotions in oneself and others.
According to Salovey and Mayer, there are four different levels of emotional intelligence:
- Perceiving emotions
- Reasoning with emotions
- Understanding emotions
- Managing emotions
Why EQ is Important for Success?
While it’s often said that IQ is a better predictor of success than EQ, this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, emotional intelligence has been shown to be just as important as IQ when it comes to overall success.
According to the Huffington Post, “emotional intelligence may be the key distinguishing factor between successful and unsuccessful leaders.” Despite this statement, emotional intelligence skills are not often discussed in leadership development programs or in business schools. However, recent studies have shown that emotional intelligence is one of the most important skills for a leader to possess.
A study published in the Journal Intelligence found that EQ accounted for 58% of the variation in job performance, while IQ accounted for just 22%. Emotional intelligence skills are important because they allow you to manage your emotions in a healthy way, which in turn allows you to better manage your relationships and overall life. By learning how to control your emotions, you can set yourself up for success both professionally and personally.
Why EQ Matters in the Workplace?
Managing emotions is not only incredibly important in our personal lives, but also in the workplace. In order to be successful, it’s essential to be able to manage relationships with co-workers, clients, and customers.
Those who are emotionally intelligent are typically better at managing these relationships because they understand and can control their own emotions as well as the emotions of others.
Emotional intelligence (EQ) allows people to better understand and manage their emotions, which in turn allows them to interact with others more effectively. In a world where the majority of communication is done via email or text message, having strong EQ skills is essential for success. Here are five reasons why EQ matters in the workplace.
1) Emotional intelligence can help you better understand yourself.
If you can understand your own emotions, you can better manage them and stay in control during challenging situations. When you know your triggers and how to deal with your emotions, you are less likely to let them get the best of you.
Understanding your emotions is the first step to managing them. If you can identify when you are feeling stressed, anxious, or angry, you can take steps to prevent those emotions from taking over.
2) Emotional intelligence can help you better understand others.
If you can read other people’s emotions, you can better manage interactions, build relationships, and resolve conflicts. You will also be better equipped to understand and empathize with others, which can make them more likely to trust and confide in you.
Being able to read other people is also helpful in networking and building relationships with co-workers, superiors, and clients.
3) Emotional intelligence can help you better manage stress.
If you can understand and manage your emotions, you will be less likely to feel overwhelmed by stress. When you have a handle on your emotions, you can better deal with stressful situations. This can lead to improved work performance and reduced absenteeism.
4) Emotional intelligence can improve your decision-making skills.
When you are able to understand and manage your emotions, you are more likely to make sound decisions. You will be less likely to let your emotions get the best of you and make impulsive decisions.
Making calm, rational decisions can help you advance in your career and avoid making costly mistakes.
5) Emotional intelligence can help you build and maintain relationships.
Interpersonal skills are an important part of emotional intelligence. When you have strong interpersonal skills, you can build and maintain positive relationships with others. This can be beneficial in both your personal and professional life.
Having strong relationships can lead to a more positive work environment, increased job satisfaction, and improved work performance.
How to Become More Emotionally Intelligent?
Now that we know a little more about emotional intelligence, let’s look at how you can start developing these skills.
Here are five ways to become more emotionally intelligent:
#1 – Become More Self-Aware
The first step to becoming emotionally intelligent is to become more self-aware. This means being aware of your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts, behavior, and interactions with others.
It can be helpful to keep a journal or log of your emotions. This can help you identify patterns and triggers for certain emotions. Once you are aware of your emotions, you can start to manage them in a more constructive way.
Some ways to become more self-aware include:
- Observing your own emotions
- Paying attention to your body language and tone of the voice
- Being aware of your thoughts and how they affect your mood.
#2 – Practice Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to manage your emotions and respond in a constructive way. This can be difficult, especially in high-stress situations at work.
Some ways to practice self-regulation include:
- Practicing deep breathing or meditation
- Identifying your triggers and learning how to deal with them
- Taking a break from the situation to calm down
- Asking for help from a trusted colleague or friend.
#3 – Improve Social Skills
Social skills are essential for building relationships and networking. They can also help you resolve conflict and understand others’ perspectives.
Some ways to improve your social skills include:
- Practicing active listening
- Asking open-ended questions
- Being aware of nonverbal cues
- Making an effort to connect with others.
#4 – Become More Empathetic
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It’s a key component of emotional intelligence.
Some ways to become more empathetic include:
- Practicing perspective-taking
- Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes
- Listening with your whole body
- Being aware of your own biases.
#5 – Work on Your Motivation
Self-motivation is a key part of emotional intelligence. It’s the ability to stay focused and driven, even when things are tough.
Some ways to increase your motivation levels include:
- Setting yourself clear and achievable goals
- Identifying your personal values and aligning them with your work
- Creating a positive mindset
- Staying accountable to yourself and others
- Practicing self-compassion.
Conclusion
Emotional intelligence is a critical skill for success in any field. By understanding and managing your emotions, you create an environment where you can be more productive and effective both professionally and personally. These five tips will help get you started on the path to becoming more emotionally intelligent at work. How have you improved your emotional intelligence?
