What do you do if your emotional intelligence is affecting your job performance in administrative assistance?

1 Assess EI

Begin by taking an honest assessment of your emotional intelligence. Reflect on recent interactions at work and consider if there have been instances where emotions led to less-than-ideal outcomes. Ask yourself how you handle stress, criticism, and the emotions of others. Being aware of your emotional triggers and how they affect your behavior is the first step towards improvement. It's important to recognize that self-awareness is a key component of EI and can help you navigate the complexities of the workplace more effectively.

2 Seek Feedback

Don't hesitate to seek feedback from trusted colleagues or supervisors about your emotional responses and interactions. Constructive criticism can provide insights into how others perceive your behavior and can highlight areas for improvement. Remember, feedback is not a personal attack but an opportunity for growth. It's essential to approach this step with an open mind and a willingness to make changes for the betterment of your professional relationships and job performance.

3 Improve Skills

Once you've identified areas that need improvement, actively work on enhancing those emotional intelligence skills. Practice active listening, which involves fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively 'hearing' the message of the speaker. Work on empathetic responses by trying to understand things from your colleagues' perspectives. Engage in stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing or taking short breaks to manage your reactions during high-pressure situations.

4 Set Goals

Setting specific, measurable goals for improving your emotional intelligence can help guide your progress. For instance, you might aim to handle a stressful task without showing frustration or to offer support to a colleague once a week. These goals should be realistic and achievable, serving as stepping stones towards better emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. Tracking your progress towards these goals can also provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

5 Practice Mindfulness

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can have a profound effect on your emotional intelligence. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, you can gain greater control over your reactions and emotions, leading to more thoughtful responses and interactions with others. This can be particularly beneficial in an administrative role where multitasking and constant communication are the norms.

6 Continuous Learning

Lastly, consider continuous learning as part of your journey to enhance emotional intelligence. This could involve reading books on EI, attending workshops, or even seeking mentorship. The field of emotional intelligence is vast, and there are many resources available to help you understand and improve your skills. Remember that developing emotional intelligence is a lifelong process, and there's always room for improvement no matter how adept you become.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?