Here's how you can boost your self-awareness as a healthcare manager through emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is like having a superpower in today's world. It's all about understanding and managing our emotions effectively. Imagine you're in a crowded coffee shop, and someone accidentally spills their drink on you. Your immediate reaction might be anger or frustration. But with emotional intelligence, you can pause and choose a more thoughtful response. Emotional intelligence involves being aware of your own emotions and how they impact others. It's about recognizing emotions in those around you and responding empathetically.

In the dynamic world of healthcare management, emotional intelligence serves as your compass through turbulent waters. Consider this scenario: You're in a high-pressure situation, balancing the needs of patients and staff. Through self-awareness, you recognize the stress bubbling within you. This awareness prompts you to take a breath, step back, and reassess the situation with a clear mind. How do you utilize self-awareness to navigate challenges and cultivate a culture of empathy and resilience within your healthcare team?

Nowadays soft skills and emotional intelligence are becoming more and more important, and are being sought out. We higher for character and personality, and train for skills. One of the most informative courses which improved me as a clinician, consultant, coach, and person in general was Motivational Interviewing. It broke down and taught me the principles of emotional intelligence, how to find and use it in myself for others, and gave me the practical framework and tools to use it in real life scenarios. It isn't enough to have read about it or pay lip-service to it. We have to truly appreciate it, understand it, see it, respect it, and use it with affective empathy toward positive outcomes.

Emotional intelligence is a vital trait for effective leadership. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are able to understand and manage their emotions, as well as the emotions of those around them. This skill allows leaders to build strong relationships, communicate clearly, and make thoughtful decisions. By being in tune with their own emotions and the emotions of others, leaders can create a positive work environment, inspire their team, and navigate challenges with empathy and resilience. Ultimately, emotional intelligence is key to fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and success within an organization.

In the world of healthcare, it's crucial to take time each day to reflect on your experiences. Think about it like reviewing your day's emotional highlights and low points. Did you keep your cool during stressful moments? Were you able to show empathy to both your team and the patients you interacted with? Reflecting helps you see how your emotions affect your actions, especially when it comes to treating others with patience and respect. How do you make sure to handle challenging situations with grace and empathy in your healthcare role?

Reflection is key and separation of ego is key while performing self-reflection. While reflecting, it is important to focus on the feelings we felt while making decisions and choices that day and focus on how we made others feel. This will serve as a guide during our time for self reflection.

Reflection and self-examination is crucial. The ability to separate your thoughts and actions, and then reflect upon them cultivates deep learning, brings your perspective and reality closer together. Thus creating self-awareness and true growth. Perhaps it's an in the moment, where you mentally (and sometimes physically) take a step back, detach, and try to see the broader picture. Another scenario could be journaling before or after your day, reflecting upon the days challenges, decisions, triumphs, and learnings. Reflecting daily has significantly impacted my life and helped me develop lasting personal growth and professional competencies. It has profoundly changed my approach in healthcare.

Reflection is a crucial practice for leaders to grow and improve in their roles. By taking time to reflect on their experiences, decisions, and interactions, leaders can gain valuable insights, identify patterns, and learn from both successes and failures. Through reflection, leaders can enhance their self-awareness, refine their strategies, and make more informed decisions. This introspective process also helps leaders to better understand their strengths and areas for development, ultimately leading to personal growth and professional success. Reflection allows leaders to continuously adapt and evolve in their leadership styles, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within their teams and organizations.

Imagine this scenario: In the heat of a challenging situation, you react based on your instincts, believing you're handling it appropriately. However, what if your team sees it differently? Seeking feedback creates a mirror reflecting how your leadership style impacts others, especially during emotionally charged moments. Embrace these insights as opportunities for growth, cultivating stronger connections and a more positive work environment. How can embracing feedback in emotionally charged situations elevate your leadership effectiveness?

Feedback from both supervisors and staff is essential for a leader's growth and development. Feedback from supervisors helps understand how their performance aligns with organizational goals and expectations, providing valuable guidance and insights for improvement. On the other hand, feedback from staff offers a unique perspective on a leader's effectiveness in communication, decision-making, and team dynamics. By soliciting feedback from employees, leaders can gain valuable insights into their leadership style, strengths, and areas for improvement. This two-way feedback process fosters a culture of openness, trust, and collaboration, ultimately leading to better relationships, increased employee engagement, and organizational success.

Imagine this: You're a healthcare manager facing a chaotic day in the hospital. Amidst the frenzy, you pause, take a deep breath, and center yourself. This simple act of stress management not only calms your nerves but also sets the tone for your team. By prioritizing your well-being, you show them the importance of self-care in high-pressure environments. How can incorporating stress management techniques enhance your leadership and cultivate a culture of resilience within your team?

Picture this: An elderly patient arrives late for their appointment, struggling to walk due to weakness from illness. Instead of scolding or dismissing them, the healthcare manager takes a compassionate approach. They offer a supportive hand, expressing understanding for the patient's challenges. By showing empathy, the manager not only alleviates the patient's anxiety but also preserves their dignity. This simple act of kindness cultivates a bond of trust and respect, enhancing the patient's overall experience and the staff's morale. How can empathy-driven care improve outcomes for both patients and healthcare professionals?

What matters most is that you walk the talk. If you demonstrate through your actions that you are committed to the best patient outcomes and service and to the people who provide that care (vs. the corporate bureaucracy) and willing to take risks based on this commitment (e.g., willing to give a fast yes vs. the slow no), people will follow you (if the higher-ups let you keep your job). Healthcare workers are extremely intuitive. They are trained and experienced in reading people. They can spot an imposter a mile away. And imposters can never earn their respect. They will go the extra mile for you if they perceive you are authentic. Everything else is secondary.