What do you do if your emotional intelligence is lacking as an IT professional?

1 Assess your EI level

The first step to improve your EI is to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use online tools, such as the Emotional Intelligence Test or the Emotional Quotient Inventory, to measure your EI across different dimensions, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Alternatively, you can ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, or mentors, and be open to their suggestions. By assessing your EI level, you can set realistic goals and focus on the areas that need improvement.

2 Learn from others

One of the best ways to develop your EI is to learn from others who have it. You can observe how they handle different situations, such as resolving conflicts, delivering feedback, or motivating teams. You can also ask them questions, such as how they manage their emotions, what they do to build rapport, or how they deal with difficult clients. By learning from others, you can gain new insights and perspectives, and adopt best practices that suit your style and personality.

3 Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, without judgment or distraction. It can help you improve your EI by enhancing your self-awareness, reducing your stress, and increasing your emotional regulation. You can practice mindfulness in various ways, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling. You can also practice mindfulness in your daily work, by being attentive to your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and how they affect others. By practicing mindfulness, you can become more aware of your emotional triggers, and respond more calmly and rationally.

4 Seek feedback

Feedback is essential for improving your EI, as it can help you identify your blind spots, correct your mistakes, and learn from your successes. You can seek feedback from different sources, such as your clients, peers, managers, or mentors. You can also use online platforms, such as 360 Feedback or SurveyMonkey, to collect anonymous feedback from multiple stakeholders. When seeking feedback, you should be specific, respectful, and receptive. You should also act on the feedback, by implementing changes, tracking progress, and following up.

5 Expand your network

Expanding your network can help you improve your EI by exposing you to different people, cultures, and perspectives. You can expand your network by joining professional associations, online communities, or social events related to your field or interest. You can also expand your network by volunteering for projects, initiatives, or causes that align with your values and passions. By expanding your network, you can develop your social skills, broaden your horizons, and build meaningful relationships.

6 Keep learning

The last tip to improve your EI is to keep learning. EI is not a fixed trait, but a dynamic skill that can be improved with practice, experience, and knowledge. You can keep learning by reading books, articles, or blogs on EI, such as Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, or Emotional Agility by Susan David. You can also keep learning by taking courses, workshops, or webinars on EI, such as the Emotional Intelligence for IT Professionals course by Udemy, or the Emotional Intelligence Certification by Coursera. By keeping learning, you can update your skills, challenge yourself, and grow as an IT professional.

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?