How can you use emotional intelligence to build rapport and trust with your clients or stakeholders?

1 Assess your EI level

Before you can use EI to connect with your clients or stakeholders, you need to know your own strengths and weaknesses. You can take online tests or self-assessments to measure your EI level and identify areas for improvement. Alternatively, you can ask for feedback from others who know you well. The main components of EI are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Try to be honest and objective about how you score on each of them.

3 Express empathy and appreciation

Another way to use EI in communication is to express empathy and appreciation to your clients or stakeholders. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in their shoes and feel what they feel. Appreciation is the act of recognizing and valuing their contributions and efforts. You can express empathy and appreciation by acknowledging their emotions, validating their perspectives, offering support, and saying thank you. By doing so, you can build rapport, trust, and loyalty with them.

4 Adapt your style and tone

A third way to use EI in communication is to adapt your style and tone to your clients or stakeholders. Style refers to the way you structure and deliver your messages, such as formal or informal, direct or indirect, concise or detailed. Tone refers to the mood or attitude you convey, such as friendly or professional, confident or humble, positive or negative. You can adapt your style and tone by considering their preferences, expectations, and goals, as well as the context and purpose of the communication.

5 Manage your emotions and reactions

A fourth way to use EI in communication is to manage your emotions and reactions when dealing with your clients or stakeholders. Sometimes, you may encounter situations that trigger negative emotions, such as anger, frustration, or disappointment. These emotions can affect your judgment, behavior, and communication. You can manage your emotions and reactions by recognizing them, taking a break, calming yourself, and choosing a constructive response.

6 Resolve conflicts and problems

A fifth way to use EI in communication is to resolve conflicts and problems with your clients or stakeholders. Conflicts and problems are inevitable in any business relationship, but they can also be opportunities for learning and improvement. You can resolve conflicts and problems by using EI skills, such as listening, empathizing, adapting, and managing emotions. You can also use techniques, such as identifying the root cause, finding common ground, brainstorming solutions, and agreeing on actions.

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?