The advantages of emotional intelligence in the workplace

Your career success doesn’t just depend on progressing your technical skills, it also includes your soft skills.?

High emotional intelligence is a great skill in the workplace, according to the World Economic Forum , it’s one of the top 10 skills needed for professional development and success. Read on to find out more.?

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ (emotional quotient) refers to the ability to identify, understand and manage our own emotions. Psychologist Daniel Goleman coined the term emotional intelligence during the 1990s with his book “Emotional Intelligence, Why It Can Matter More Than IQ”.

In this book, he explains five key components of high EQ:

• Self-awareness: This relates to having an understanding of how you react to situations and people and how this impacts other people in your life, whilst also being aware of your own limitations.
• Self-regulation: This refers to managing your emotions and thinking before you react or speak, especially in difficult situations.
• Motivation: This is the drive for personal growth and development.
• Empathy: This is a skill that goes hand in hand with EQ. Empathy is an awareness and ability to understand other people’s emotions.
• Social Skills: These involve an awareness of other people and how to communicate effectively with them by listening, engaging and making them feel comfortable.

All of these skills can be huge benefits.?

How is EQ/empathy a strength in the workplace?

Having a workplace culture that lacks emotional intelligence and empathy can actually negatively affect productivity, performance and attendance. This can lead to a breakdown in culture.?

Some benefits of emotional intelligence skills include:

1. Enhanced communication skills

One of the most immediate benefits of high emotional intelligence is the ability to communicate more effectively. When you’re in tune with your emotions and those of others, you can:

• Read non-verbal cues: You become better at noticing body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, which helps you understand what others are truly feeling.
• Respond with empathy: By putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, you can address their concerns more thoughtfully, leading to deeper and more meaningful conversations.
• Adapt your communication style: Understanding the emotional state of your colleagues allows you to adjust how you communicate, ensuring your message is clear and well-received.

These skills can make you a more effective collaborator, reduce misunderstandings, and help you connect with your coworkers on a deeper level.

2. Building stronger relationships

At work, relationships are key to success. Emotional intelligence helps you build and maintain these relationships by:

• Establishing trust: When you demonstrate empathy and understanding, others are more likely to trust you. Trust is the foundation of any strong professional relationship.
• Handling conflicts with care: Disagreements are a natural part of any workplace, but with high EQ, you can manage conflicts in a way that respects everyone involved and keeps relationships intact.
• Promoting inclusivity: By recognising and valuing different perspectives, you create an environment where everyone feels heard and appreciated, which can lead to stronger, more collaborative teams.

By nurturing these relationships, you can create a support network that helps you thrive in your role.

3. Becoming a more effective leader

If you're in or aspiring to a leadership role, emotional intelligence is crucial. It enables you to:

• Inspire and motivate others: By understanding what drives your team members, you can tap into their motivations and encourage them to perform at their best.
• Make balanced decisions: EQ helps you weigh both the logical and emotional aspects of decisions, leading to more thoughtful and effective outcomes.
• Create a positive work environment: As a leader, your emotional intelligence sets the tone for your team. By managing your own emotions and responding to the needs of others, you can foster a workplace culture where everyone feels supported and valued.

Leadership isn’t just about directing others; it’s about connecting with them, and EQ makes you a leader people want to follow.

4. Increased personal resilience

Work can be stressful, and how you handle that stress can significantly impact your success. Emotional intelligence helps you:

• Manage stress effectively: By recognising your stress triggers, you can develop strategies to stay calm and focused, even in challenging situations.
• Adapt to change: The workplace is constantly evolving, and high EQ allows you to manage your emotions during times of change, making you more adaptable and resilient.
• Maintain a positive outlook: Emotional intelligence encourages a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning and development rather than setbacks.

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from difficulties; it’s about growing stronger from them, and EQ is the tool that helps you do just that.

5. Greater job satisfaction and fulfilment

When you’re emotionally intelligent, you’re more likely to find satisfaction and fulfilment in your work because:

• You feel more connected: Stronger relationships and better communication make work more enjoyable and fulfilling.
• Your contributions are recognised: When you understand and manage your emotions, you're more likely to be noticed and appreciated for your efforts.
• You experience less burnout: By managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, you're less likely to experience burnout, keeping you engaged and motivated in your role.

Job satisfaction isn’t just about the tasks you perform; it’s about how you feel while performing them, and emotional intelligence plays a key role in creating a positive work experience.

6. Improved client and customer interactions

Emotional intelligence isn’t just beneficial for your relationships with coworkers; it also enhances how you interact with clients and customers. With high EQ, you can:

• Understand and meet client needs: By empathising with clients, you can better understand their concerns and offer solutions that truly address their needs.
• Handle difficult situations gracefully: EQ helps you manage your emotions and respond calmly, even when dealing with challenging clients, leading to better outcomes and stronger client relationships.
• Build lasting connections: Clients are more likely to return when they feel valued and understood, leading to long-term professional relationships.

These improved interactions can lead to personal success in roles that involve client or customer engagement, making you a valuable asset to your organisation.

Developing emotional intelligence in the workplace

Some people are born with this skill, but those that aren’t can actually develop and improve their emotional intelligence.?

If you’re looking to improve your EQ, you may have to try a few methods to notice a change in yourself.?

When you’re experiencing a negative situation, pay attention to the emotions that you’re experiencing. Be aware of how you typically react, and do your best to manage your emotions, take a breath and think before doing so.?

If you’re looking to improve your empathy and EQ, it can be helpful to ask a colleague or manager if you display any of the above listed traits. Their constructive feedback can be beneficial to help you decide which areas you need to work on.?

Developing empathy

Developing empathy is a key aspect of improving your emotional intelligence overall. Make an effort to understand diverse perspectives.?

A way of doing this is by actively listening to and consuming media that showcases a different point of view.

In conclusion?

Emotional intelligence is a critical soft skill of a successful career, it allows you to reduce stress, communicate effectively and take criticism in a productive way.?

Developing your emotional intelligence and empathy could be the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving your career goals.?

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