What do you do if you're a mechanical engineer lacking emotional intelligence skills?

1 Assess your EI level

The first step to improve your EI is to know where you stand. You can take online tests or quizzes to measure your EI, or ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, or mentors. Be honest and open to criticism, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, you may be good at solving problems, but not so good at expressing your feelings. Or you may be good at listening, but not so good at giving constructive feedback.

2 Learn the EI competencies

EI consists of four main competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Each of these skills can help you perform better as a mechanical engineer, as well as improve your well-being and happiness. To learn the EI competencies, you can read books, articles, or blogs, watch videos or podcasts, or take courses or workshops. You can also find a coach or mentor who can guide you and support you along the way.

3 Practice EI in your work

Learning the EI competencies is not enough. You need to apply them in your daily work as a mechanical engineer. For example, you can practice self-awareness by reflecting on your emotions, thoughts, and actions, and how they affect your performance and others. You can practice self-management by regulating your emotions, coping with stress, and adapting to changes. You can practice social awareness by paying attention to the emotions, needs, and expectations of your co-workers, clients, and stakeholders. You can practice relationship management by communicating effectively, collaborating constructively, and resolving conflicts respectfully.

4 Seek feedback and improvement

One of the best ways to improve your EI is to seek feedback from others and use it to grow and improve. You can ask for feedback from your peers, managers, or mentors, or use tools like 360-degree feedback or performance reviews. You can also give feedback to others and show appreciation and recognition. Feedback can help you identify your areas of improvement, as well as your achievements and progress.

5 Keep learning and growing

EI is not a fixed trait that you either have or don't have. It is a skill that you can develop and improve throughout your life. As a mechanical engineer, you should keep learning and growing your EI, as it can help you advance your career, enhance your creativity and innovation, and increase your satisfaction and fulfillment. You can keep learning and growing your EI by setting goals, tracking your progress, celebrating your successes, and embracing your challenges.

6 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?