Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Some people in our life are appreciated for being very understanding as a friend or colleague, lending an ear, and empathizing with our life events and struggles. Chances are this friend must be having a very high degree of Emotional Intelligence. Emotional Intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand and manage our emotions as well as influence others’ emotions in a positive way. This is different from general intelligence and its Intelligence Quotient (IQ) which represents abilities such as general knowledge, visual and spatial processing, working and short-term memory, and reasoning. While IQ is considered by many to be a decisive factor in achieving success in life, EQ (Emotional Quotient) is also an essential quality in areas including education, management and leadership. In fact, many companies include it in their required criteria, testing the EQ of applicants during their hiring process. A high EQ is considered an important quality for managers and business leaders.

According to psychologist and author, Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence includes five components. These five components are:

Self-Awareness

A person is said to be self-aware when they are highly aware of their own behaviour, habits and feelings. You can understand your strengths and weaknesses. You are aware of why you feel the way you do and how your actions can impact people around you. Being self-aware helps you in your work as it also keeps you humble and grounded.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation refers to having good control over one’s actions and decisions. You think and react rationally, giving a lot of thought before making important decisions. As a manager or leader at your workplace, this quality helps manage critical situations and adapt to changes at work. It helps you make correct decisions, considering all possible consequences. You can stay calm, ease tensions and hold yourself accountable, particularly when you receive constructive criticism at work.

Motivation

A motivated individual is goal-oriented, giving it their all to achieve their end-goal. You maintain high standards of quality for your work and remain passionate and driven towards your aim. Self-motivation also means you are working for your personal development rather than material accomplishments like money, fame or status.  

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of someone else. You listen to what others have to say and you can put yourself in their situation to understand what they must have gone through. An empathic person is not too judgmental, a trait that helps them work well with their colleagues by helping them progress and providing constructive criticism.

Social Skills

Social skills are essential for good communication and teamwork. Social skills help you become good listeners, engage verbally and maintain a good rapport with your team-mates. You can take up the leadership role if needed, supporting the whole team and managing conflicts diplomatically.

When a person is able to manage their emotions well and exhibit a high degree of EQ, it also influences people around him/her to act the same. This helps in maintaining positive relationships in the work environment. A well-developed EQ is crucial for achieving your work goals, particularly in group projects. Anybody can develop a good Emotional Quotient with practice and care. Small habits like listening, understanding and reflecting on your actions can help in improving your emotional skills.