What do you do if your team's emotional intelligence is hindering motivation?

1 Assess your team's EI

The first step to improve your team's EI is to assess their current level of emotional skills and competencies. You can use various tools and methods, such as surveys, feedback sessions, self-reflection exercises, or behavioral observations, to measure how your team members express, perceive, and respond to emotions. The goal is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team's EI, and to understand the root causes and effects of their emotional challenges.

2 Provide coaching and training

The second step to improve your team's EI is to provide coaching and training opportunities for your team members to develop their emotional skills and competencies. You can use different formats and approaches, such as workshops, webinars, online courses, mentoring, or peer learning, to teach your team members the concepts and practices of EI. The goal is to help your team members learn how to recognize, understand, and manage their own and others' emotions, and to apply them constructively in their work.

3 Create a supportive culture

The third step to improve your team's EI is to create a supportive culture that fosters emotional awareness, expression, and regulation. You can use various strategies and actions, such as setting clear expectations, giving regular feedback, encouraging collaboration, promoting diversity and inclusion, or celebrating achievements, to shape the norms and values of your team. The goal is to create a safe and positive environment where your team members feel valued, respected, and motivated.

4 Model emotional leadership

The fourth step to improve your team's EI is to model emotional leadership that inspires and influences your team members. You can use different behaviors and skills, such as self-awareness, empathy, communication, adaptability, or optimism, to demonstrate how to use emotions effectively in your work. The goal is to set an example for your team members on how to leverage emotions for motivation, performance, and satisfaction.

5 Monitor and evaluate progress

The fifth step to improve your team's EI is to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of your efforts. You can use various indicators and measures, such as feedback, surveys, performance reviews, or goal achievement, to track how your team members are improving their emotional skills and competencies, and how they are affecting their motivation. The goal is to identify the successes and challenges of your team's EI development, and to adjust your actions accordingly.

6 Reward and recognize achievements

The sixth step to improve your team's EI is to reward and recognize the achievements and improvements of your team members. You can use different methods and incentives, such as praise, recognition, bonuses, or career opportunities, to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and results of your team members. The goal is to reinforce the positive outcomes of your team's EI development, and to motivate them to continue learning and growing.

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?