From Head to Heart: Bridging Emotions and Productivity

- Written by: Nandini Sharma Team Operations - Seth M. R. Jaipuria Schools

Picture this! Your city is hit by a deluge!

Our office dog, ‘Kry-lon’, usually full of energy, appears unusually subdued. As I walk by I see his big puppy eyes, wet and hesitant. Just too scared to reach for anybody’s paw in the hood. Reflecting on this moment, I realise how Emotional Intelligence plays a crucial role in our workplace dynamics. Sometimes like Kry-lon, colleagues may not overtly ask for help even when they need it. It’s up to us to read between the lines, noticing subtle cues of distress or uncertainty.

In such instances, Emotional Intelligence guides us to reach out with empathy. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable and safe. By fostering this understanding, we not only strengthen teamwork but also nurture a compassionate work environment where everyone can thrive.

Additional benefits of emotional intelligence include the following:

• Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Keep Morale High
• Emotional Intelligence Helps With Navigating Change
• Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Have More Engaged Employees
• Emotional Intelligence Leads to Higher Performance

Developing your emotional intelligence takes practice over time, but the extra effort is worth it. Here are some tips to get started.

• Check In With Your Emotions Consistently
• Solicit Feedback Regularly

Lastly, it's incredibly important to learn and practice active listening at work—in other words, listening to understand instead of listening to respond. When you listen to people and their views, it's easier to know how they are feeling. This will help you act accordingly.

In conclusion, emotional intelligence is perhaps the most important soft skill employees need to succeed in the modern workplace. Although some people are better at it than others, the good news is that this skill can be learned and honed over time through emotional intelligence training. The sooner you start, the better. Let’s embrace emotional intelligence in our daily interactions. Let’s be attuned to the unspoken needs of our colleagues, offering assistance and encouragement when they need it the most. Together we can create a workplace where empathy and support are foundational pillars of success.