You’re struggling to connect with your team. What’s the best way to improve your emotional intelligence?

Sometimes we forget that we are all just 'humans at work'. If you are struggling to connect with your team, perhaps consider getting to know each team member--one at a time. A great way to do this is to have regular lunch or coffee connects. Get to really know them as humans. What do they like to do in their spare time? Who all are in their family? Next ask them how they are finding work? What do they really enjoy? What bothers them. What matters is how you respond to their answers--are you going to be a trusted partner for them or not? And then go out and do something fun together. In small groups or better still with your entire team. Let them know you. Let them see you as a human. It's not really that difficult.

In order to be an effective leader, it is important to make rational decisions, remain composed during challenging situations, and serve as a positive influence to those around you. Achieving these qualities can be difficult if you do not prioritize your physical well-being. A key characteristic of emotionally intelligent leaders is their commitment to self-improvement. They make sure to take care of themselves and seek support, which enhances their ability to adapt and persevere

To enhance emotional intelligence and connect better with your team, embracing your human side is key. Show vulnerability and empathy. Being open about your own challenges and understanding theirs creates a deeper bond. Listening actively and responding with compassion builds trust. Practice self-awareness, manage emotions constructively, and always be willing to learn and grow. This approach not only improves team dynamics but also fosters a more inclusive and supportive work environment. ??????

"Being human" can help a little ;) Improving emotional intelligence for connecting with your team begins with self-awareness. Take a breather and acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. Understand that your mistakes are opportunities for you to grow. Being authentic with your team builds trust, allowing them to see the person behind the title. This creates a positive vibe within the team. When you open up, others feel more comfortable doing the same, encouraging easy communication and collaboration. So look within, and be genuine. It's the human touch that transforms a group of individuals into a connected, supportive team.

Empathy! To me that's the best way to connect at work. Putting yourself into each person's shoes not only helps you connect, but it's personally rewarding to understand what someone else is feeling.

Mindfulness is vital because it allows us to cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and presence in the present moment. In today's fast-paced and hectic world, we are often caught up in the whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and external stimuli. Mindfulness helps us break free from this cycle by bringing our attention to the here and now, without judgment or distraction. By practicing mindfulness, we can observe our thoughts and emotions without getting entangled in them, which enhances our ability to regulate our emotions effectively. This heightened self-awareness and emotional regulation not only reduce stress and increase focus, but also enable us to respond to situations with greater clarity, empathy, and rationality.

Mindfulness have taken a bad reputation from some thinking that it is time consuming and won't work in our fast paste society. However, to practice mindfulness we don't need to meditate or do yoga. It would be great if we can it speeds up the process of learning how to be mindfull in our daily life. We need to be aware of the moment we are in. One thing for sure that mindfulness eliminates mistakes at work. It would be easier for us to develop work flow and be more productive. It will also help us to tune in to how others in the team are feeling and doing, which will help team collaboration. Start small, choose 5 minutes each day, to actually observe your every thought feeling and move. Ex. While making your coffee, sending email etc.

Mindulness es una palabra que últimamente suena mucho, quizás demasiado y que pocos saben darle el valor que representa. Para poder practicar mindfulness lo primero que tienes que hacer es eso, PRACTICAR. Desarrollar la presencia supone estar concentrado en lo que quieres concentrarte. Incorporar, sentir en tu cuerpo, que todo lo que haces está dirigido en una sola dirección. Esto implica que te respondas a varias preguntas como: * ?Qué es lo que es verdaderamente importante en este momento? * ?Qué quiero conseguir, cuál es mi objetivo con lo que voy a hacer o decir? * ?Quién es, qué piensa, qué siente la persona con quien hablo y que transmite a través de sus palabras? El Mindfulness es una filosofía de vida, no un recurso puntual.

I've built in non-negotiables into my daily routine - exercise, meditation and mindfulness practice. This sets me up for the day so that I can serve others better too. A super useful technique to get through challenges in your day is to catch unhelpful thoughts as they show up. Your thoughts are not you but they directly impact on your emotions. The good news is that you have more control over your thoughts than over your emotions. When you catch your thoughts and label them as just that, you can consciously choose to think differently. It takes practice and consistency but it goes a long way towards helping you navigate daily challenges.

- Self-awareness: Regularly reflect on your own emotions and reactions. Understand how your emotions impact your decision-making and interactions with your team. This self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. - Empathy: Put yourself in your team members' shoes to better understand their perspectives. This empathetic approach builds trust and creates a supportive environment. -Open Communication: Foster open and transparent communication within the team. Encourage feedback, and be receptive to both positive and constructive input. This creates a culture of trust and collaboration.

Listening is more than just hearing the words that someone is saying. It's also about understanding the meaning behind those words, and paying attention to body language and facial expressions. When you're really listening, you're not just waiting for your turn to speak. You're actively engaged in the conversation, and you're trying to understand what the other person is saying.

To improve emotional intelligence and strengthen team connections, practice active listening. This includes attentively concentrating on verbal and non-verbal cues, posing clarifying questions, and genuinely expressing interest in the perspectives of others.

Think of active listening as the ability to notice what isn't quite being said. It goes far beyond the superficial cues such as nodding and smiling. It's really about how present and attuned you are to the other person. You see them so clearly that you can help them connect the dots so they see themselves with better clarity. Are open-ended questions used? Absolutely. And it's always a great reminder to not interrupt. But remember, these are tools to help you listen and gather data about the other person so you can see the whole picture of who they are. If you can see them and give that back to them (when appropriate), this is what leads to people feeling seen and heard. That's what build trust. Never forget that.

Agree. Listening to understand and be influenced creates trust. Listening to be influenced is the opposite of what most do, which is speaking to influence.

Sometimes the best answer is the most direct: ask them what they need & want from you as a colleague and leader, then listen. Past that direct approach, I think emotional intelligence is built on paying attention. When I'm interviewing potential team members, working with current employees, & especially when trying to solve problems, I try to keep tabs on their body language, their emotional response triggers, & especially my own energy. If I can improve the room by adjusting my demeanor or approach, it's an easy investment toward improving the employee experience; the team and goal are always more important than I am. Like any skill, it takes practice, but intentionally listening & being empathetic has been invaluable to my career.

Emotional intelligence encompasses the effective processing of emotions, wherein you can take control of your emotions like electricity to illuminate the room. While expressing yourself, mastering the art of sharing your thoughts and opinions in a non-condensing way would boost team morale and enhance your emotional intelligence. Furthermore, encouraging your team to do the same, i.e. expressing themselves, will go a long way in building a well-rounded team who pour into each other.

There are two aspects to developing emotional intelligence: - Self-awareness: Being in the present moment, noticing your emotions, and listening actively with intellectual curiosity are critical to creating a meaningful connection. - Self management: Now that you are aware of your emotions and triggers, you can train yourself to express yourself through a calibrated response instead of lashing out or breaking down in tense interactions.

??? Expressing yourself clearly and respectfully boosts emotional intelligence, fostering self-confidence, reducing anxiety, and enhancing influence. Practice by using "I" statements like "I feel" or "I think" to articulate emotions and opinions. Employ positive language, avoid blame or criticism, and recognize others' emotions and viewpoints. Effective self-expression is key for asserting leadership, sharing vision, and inspiring your team.

Effective self-expression is a crucial aspect of leadership that greatly enhances your effectiveness as a leader. By openly and honestly communicating your thoughts, feelings, and needs, you establish trust and credibility among your team. This transparency fosters a sense of authenticity and provides a clear direction for your team to follow, aligning them with your vision and expectations. Furthermore, expressing yourself confidently allows you to assert your leadership and encourages others to do the same, creating a culture of collaboration and open dialogue. By respectfully acknowledging the emotions and opinions of others, you create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Expressing yourself in the workplace using emotional intelligence is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of self-awareness and authenticity. Many leaders shy away from sharing their thoughts and feelings, fearing a perception of weakness or incompetence. However, incorporating emotional intelligence into workplace communication can lead to stronger connections and improved team dynamics. Modeling emotional intelligence through transparency and vulnerability fosters a culture of openness and trust within a team. When individuals demonstrate the ability to navigate and express their emotions effectively, it empowers others to share their perspectives without fear of judgement.

Great conversations are fueled by great questions. Your questions reflect your level of interest. Genuine curiosity is the highest level of interest and the catalyst for the very best conversations. Set aside personal bias, increase your level of interest, ask great questions, and then be quiet and listen.

Learning from others is incredibly valuable in personal and professional growth. By seeking feedback, advice, and guidance from those with more experience or expertise, you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Learning from others enhances your emotional intelligence by fostering motivation, curiosity, and a growth mindset. It allows you to gain new perspectives, challenge your assumptions, and expand your skills and capabilities. By finding mentors, coaches, and role models, as well as joining networks and communities, you surround yourself with a supportive and inspiring environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement.

Ensure that you have mentors with higher EQ than yourself and share your challenges with them. Even if you think you hit it out of the park handling a situation, run it by your mentors. Most of all, be willing to listen and change. All the mentors and books in the world won't matter if you are not willing to change.

Learning from others is crucial for growth. Overcoming resistance from pride or a fixed mindset requires leading by example, showcasing the benefits of guidance and feedback. Sharing success stories and creating a safe space for learning encourages participation. Emphasizing a growth mindset can turn reluctance into a desire to learn, making us more adept and connected leaders. #LeadershipDevelopment #GrowthMindset #ContinuousLearning #Collaboration

While drawing valuable information from mentors and coaches, you also don't want to lose sight of your team's strengths, uniqueness and valuable insights they have. Some team members might have been in the job long enough to provide some insights you haven't come across, while some new team members might be bringing advanced knowledge from their previous place that is useful. Never look down on those above and below you. Everyone has something great to offer. Recognize this, and you'll win people's hearts and minds. Never forget that one of the pillars of emotional intelligence is relationship management and social skills.

Checking in with your ego is crucial in developing your emotional intelligence. As a leader, some ego is necessary to advocate for your team, introduce innovative ideas, and act with confidence when you’re “on stage.” However, too much ego can quickly turn toxic, resulting in troubled connections. Managing your ego means being willing to share the spotlight and support others on your team. Try to approach your leadership role from the perspective of a servant leader, and give your team purpose, autonomy, and credit for successes. As we say at Stewart Leadership, “It’s amazing what can be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

Developing a strong EQ is no easy feat - it takes effort and dedication. However, when you cultivate the ability to understand your emotions, communicate effectively, and take care of yourself, it will have profoundly positive effects on all aspects of your life. Remember to stay patient and forgiving with yourself as you work on building your emotional awareness and resilience. With time and practice, you'll find that an improved EQ will grant you access to many opportunities for success and satisfaction.

To enhance your emotional intelligence and better connect with your team, reflect on your emotions, manage them effectively, understand others' perspectives, communicate empathetically, build relationships, and stay motivated. Also, Seek feedback and invest in personal development to continuously improve your emotional intelligence skills, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Leaders often overlook the importance of getting adequate sleep for their emotional intelligence. Sleep plays a critical role in emotional processing, and lack of sleep can significantly affect mood and emotional reactivity. For example, sleep deprivation has been found to increase negative emotional reactions to disruptive events and decrease the positive benefits of rewarding activities. This heightened emotional reactivity could make leaders more sensitive to stress and more likely to experience anger, depression, and anxiety. Sleep loss can also impair the ability to regulate emotions effectively, potentially harming interactions with colleagues and subordinates.

Consider that everyone is different, they engage differently, learn and have varying past experiences that they bring to the workplace. Learn to understand their motivators, how they learn, where they are at with their own self awareness, typical behaviours and use lots of observation. Understand what and who influences them and use compassion in application. These will all help with emotional intelligence. Listen more than you speak as you cannot learn anything whilst speaking....