What do you do if your emotional intelligence as a financial manager needs improvement?

2 Learn from your emotions

The second step to improving your emotional intelligence is to learn from your emotions. Emotions are not good or bad, they are signals that provide you with information and guidance. You need to be able to recognize and name your emotions, and understand what triggers them and how they affect your behavior and decisions. You also need to be able to regulate your emotions, and choose the appropriate response for each situation. For example, if you feel angry or frustrated, you can use coping strategies, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or positive affirmations, to calm yourself down and avoid reacting impulsively.

3 Empathize with others

The third step to improving your emotional intelligence is to empathize with others. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes, and understand their feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. Empathy can help you build rapport, trust, and loyalty with your team, clients, and stakeholders. You can develop empathy by listening actively, asking open-ended questions, acknowledging and validating others' emotions, and expressing genuine interest and care. You can also practice perspective-taking, by imagining how you would feel or act if you were in their position.

4 Communicate effectively

The fourth step to improving your emotional intelligence is to communicate effectively. Communication is not only about what you say, but also how you say it, and how you make others feel. You need to be able to convey your message clearly, concisely, and confidently, while also being respectful, polite, and courteous. You also need to be able to adapt your communication style to different audiences, situations, and channels. For example, you may need to use more formal language and tone when writing a report or presenting to senior management, than when chatting with your team or sending an email.

6 Seek opportunities for growth

The sixth and final step to improving your emotional intelligence is to seek opportunities for growth. Emotional intelligence is not a static skill that you can master once and for all. It is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires continuous learning and improvement. You can seek opportunities for growth by challenging yourself, taking on new projects or tasks, seeking mentorship or coaching, attending training or workshops, reading books or articles, or joining online communities or networks. By seeking opportunities for growth, you can expand your knowledge, skills, and experience, and enhance your emotional intelligence as a financial manager.

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?