What do you do if your emotional intelligence skills are affecting your performance evaluation?

1 Assess EI

Begin by conducting a thorough self-assessment of your emotional intelligence. Reflect on feedback from your performance evaluations that may indicate areas of EI needing improvement. Consider how well you understand your emotions, how effectively you manage them, and how your emotional state influences your interactions with colleagues. Acknowledge areas where you struggle, such as empathy or emotional regulation, and identify specific situations where these weaknesses have impacted your job performance.

2 Seek Feedback

It's invaluable to seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors who can provide honest insights into your EI-related strengths and weaknesses. Approach these individuals with a genuine desire to learn and grow, asking for specific examples of when your emotional intelligence has positively or negatively affected your interactions or decision-making. This feedback will give you a clearer picture of how others perceive your EI and where you can focus your efforts to improve.

3 Learn Skills

Once you have identified the areas of emotional intelligence that need development, actively seek out resources and training to enhance those skills. This could involve reading books, attending workshops, or participating in online courses focused on emotional intelligence. Practice the skills you learn in everyday interactions and reflect on the outcomes, making adjustments as needed. Over time, these efforts can lead to significant improvements in your emotional intelligence and, consequently, your job performance.

4 Apply Changes

Applying changes to your behavior based on what you've learned is crucial. Start by setting small, achievable goals for yourself in areas where you want to improve. For example, if you struggle with empathy, make a conscious effort to listen more attentively to your colleagues. If managing stress is an issue, employ stress-reduction techniques during high-pressure situations. Consistently applying these changes will help solidify new habits and improve your emotional intelligence over time.

5 Monitor Progress

Monitoring your progress is essential to ensure that the changes you're making are having a positive impact on your emotional intelligence and job performance. Keep a journal or log of situations where you've successfully applied new EI strategies, as well as times when you fell short. Regularly review this log to assess your growth and identify any persistent challenges that may require additional focus or a different approach.

6 Build Resilience

Finally, building resilience is an important aspect of improving emotional intelligence. Resilience allows you to bounce back from setbacks and handle workplace stress more effectively. Cultivate resilience by maintaining a positive outlook, developing strong relationships with supportive colleagues, and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. As your resilience increases, so will your ability to use emotional intelligence effectively in the workplace.