Emotional intelligence is a relatively new term, but in recent years, it has become extremely important in the workplace.
Emotional intelligence (or EQ) is our ability to acknowledge, understand, and manage not only our emotions but also better interpret the emotions of those around us. It’s our way to have our emotions align with our intentions, rather than against them.
For example, when meeting with coworkers or business partners, it’s imperative to listen to their words and recognize their body language. Being able to hear what they are saying and connect social cues allows us to better interpret the overall picture. When we are compassionate and receptive to others, the workplace becomes a more welcoming and healthier environment for all.
Consider how emotionally intelligent you are in the workplace …
It’s not always easy to confront the emotions of others at work. Instead, many of us would prefer to bury ourselves in work, rather than deal with these sentiments head-on.
Being committed to emotionally aligning yourself with others is a not something that happens overnight. We all need to work at this daily by listening with an open mind to our staff partners.
Leaders in particular tend to struggle with exhibiting emotional intelligence to their staff. Often, they hide their emotions and exude the mentality of “business-as-usual.” However, being an authentic leader requires vulnerability and openness. In fact, when staff partners see a leader being “more human,” it allows empathy and understanding to build within a team.
We all need to spend time to craft and perfect the way we handle situations. For example, we can’t see negative interactions with others as a bad thing. Rather, think about these interactions as a way to build relationships and learn from your mistakes.
One aspect of emotional intelligence that is often overlooked is humility. We all need to remember that we are human … every single one of us is capable of error and flaws. We all must accept our imperfections and those of our staff partners. We will all be better willing to work with one another if we are humble and aware of our emotions.
Share how you practice emotional intelligence in the workplace @StarterNoise.
Derek Rundell, is a successful business leader, operator, and serial entrepreneur. Derek has founded, managed and sold businesses in the technology, media and finance industries. He sits on several boards and serves as an advisor/investor to numerous established businesses and startups. Startups are Derek’s real passion, and in addition to building his own portfolio of technology, media and financial ventures, he invests in and mentors startups and entrepreneurs. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping other businesses succeed.