Develop Your Emotional Intelligence For Ongoing Success

Today, emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the most sought-after skills in the workplace. Emotional intelligence expresses itself through calm, controlled behaviour and skilled communication. It provides people with the ability to understand and better manage their own emotions – and respond in the best way possible to the emotions of others. This enables the building and preservation of quality interpersonal relationships. Not only does this support stronger relationships, but it also contributes to effective conflict resolution and fosters a more positive work environment.  

 

Here are 5 ways emotional intelligence leads to success in the workplace: 

 1. Effective leadership 

Team leaders with high emotional intelligence are more likely to stay calm under pressure, resolve conflict effectively, and respond to co-workers with understanding and empathy while still maintaining the necessary boundaries between being boss and subordinate. Leaders with high EI can inspire and motivate teams by: 

• building good rapport and trust,  

• recognising and supporting individual needs,  

• managing issues and disputes in a calm rational fashion, 

• providing constructive feedback, 

• leading by example.  

 2. A cohesive team 

When people understand their own emotions and empathise with others, they are better equipped to build strong, lasting connections with one another and navigate conflicts more effectively – seeking common ground and looking for a win-win outcome.  

• This leads to positive interactions with colleagues and clients.  

• It supports teamwork, collaboration, and innovation.  

 3. Better decision making 

Our decisions are not purely rational or logical. Decision-making is influenced by our emotions, values, and biases. By considering both the rational and emotional factors that impact a decision, people with high emotional intelligence can first think through issues, ask for input from trusted colleagues and make well-considered decisions that are not influenced by impulsive reactions. 

4. Resilience under stress 

There is a strong link between emotional intelligence and resilience, as people with high emotional intelligence tend to be more resilient in the face of adversity.  

• By understanding their emotions, strengths, and weaknesses, individuals can develop the skills and positive mindset necessary to bounce back from experiencing hardships.  

• When it comes to being triggered, high EI individuals can identify the sources of their stress, develop effective coping strategies, and build a strong support network. 

 5. Positive workplace culture 

Workplace culture is developed and shaped by the shared values, belief systems and attitudes that people in the workplace have in common. Emotional intelligence and workplace culture are interconnected, each influencing the other, and when employees are emotionally intelligent, they consciously contribute to a more supportive and collaborative work environment, boosting morale and productivity. 

 

How to Identify a Lack of Emotional Intelligence 

Our emotional intelligence quotient impacts how we navigate social complexities. There are several tell-tale signs of low emotional intelligence. These include: 

• Low self-awareness. This can manifest itself in being highly opinionated.  

• Insensitivity, which can show up as a lack of empathy.  

• Lack of accountability. This can manifest in blaming others when things go wrong.  

• Poor coping skills. This can cause low EI individuals to withdraw or act out.  

• Unpredictable emotional outbursts. These can cause conflict and relationship damage.  

• Poor social skills can also lead to regular conflict or a lack of team cohesion.  

• Self-centeredness, which stems from a lack of caring and consideration for others.  

 

If you want to assess your EI, consider the relationships you have with your teammates and ask yourself these questions: 

• Do you find your conversations with colleagues are strained – where perhaps you feel like you are misunderstood or are often surprised at other’s reactions to your input?  

• Do you repeatedly blame others when things go wrong, or if projects do not go as planned? 

• Are you prone to outbursts where you speak or act before you think?  

Answering “yes” to any of these questions can indicate low emotional intelligence. However, emotional intelligence is not fixed and can be developed and grown.  

 

Ways to grow your emotional intelligence 

Here are 5 foundational steps in growing the self-awareness that is essential in building a robust emotional intelligence framework:  

1. Practice observing how you feel
   Life is busy, and it is easy for us to be reactive and lose touch with our emotions. To practice reconnecting, set a timer for various points during the day. When the timer goes off, stop what you are doing and take the time to notice how you are feeling. Take note of where the emotion is showing up in your body and how it feels physically. Keep practicing to naturally tune into your emotions.  
2. Learn to look at yourself objectively
   To know yourself completely and looking at yourself objectively is virtually impossible, so gaining insights from people who know you can be helpful. Ask a handful of people you trust for their input on your strengths and weaknesses.  Write down what they say so you can look for any patterns.  Do not argue or get defensive over their opinion. They are just trying to help you see yourself clearly from another person’s point of view. 
3. Pay attention to how you behave
   Take the time to consciously notice your behaviour. Adopt a bird’s eye view of how you tend to act when you are experiencing certain emotions. Note how this affects your relationships. Managing our emotions becomes easier when you become more aware of how they cause us to react or behave.  
4. Predict how you will feel
   Consider a situation into which you are heading and predict how you will feel. Practice naming and accepting your future feelings.  Then try to choose an appropriate reaction to the feeling rather than just reacting to it. Naming, accepting, and managing the outcome of your feelings puts you in control of them. 
5. Accept responsibility for your feelings
   Your emotions and behaviour are yours. They come from you and once you start taking responsibility for how you feel and how you behave you are ready to learn to better understand the emotions and behaviour of others. This understanding will have a positive impact on all areas of your life and will enhance your relationships at work and in your private life.  

In conclusion 

EI contributes to success by unlocking your understanding of your own and other people’s emotions. It gives you the self-control to manage your responses and not act out impulsively. This understanding and self-control are the foundation upon which managing relationships, navigating tricky situations with composure, and making informed decisions is built. At work, emotional intelligence leads to more cohesive teamwork and developing desirable leadership skills – all of which are crucial for career advancement and personal fulfillment in many aspects of life.  

Over to you for sharing your comments and experiences.