The Human Side of Business: How Emotional Intelligence Fuels Business Acumen

Emotional intelligence (EI) is something we often forget about when we're busy with work. For the most part, EI means being able to understand and control one’s own feelings as well as those of other people. In work, it's like having a superpower that helps us get things done faster.

So, how exactly does this translate to business acumen—the knack for making smart business decisions? Let's break it down with a few relatable examples.

? 1. Knowing yourself What is it? Being self-aware means being aware of your feelings, strengths, weaknesses, beliefs, and what drives you. Why it's important in business: Let's say you're in charge of a team meeting and you start to feel really worried. Being aware of this feeling keeps you from getting angry at a coworker or deciding things quickly. Knowing how you're feeling lets you take a moment to calm down, which helps you make choices that are more well-thought-out and well-planned.

2. Self-regulation?

Managing one’s feelings well (keeping emotions in check) is an important skill, especially when things get tough.

Why it's important for business: Imagine that a very important job is running behind schedule. Fear sets in. You can focus on finding answers, if you can control your urge to react with anger or fear. When things get tough, leaders who stay calm can think clearly, make fair choices, and guide their teams through the crisis well.

3. Motivation? Why do you do things?

There's more to motivation than money or labels. It's about being driven to reach your goals and loving what you do.

Why it's important for business: Give some thought to a salesperson who really wants to help customers. They're excited about more than just finishing a deal; they're excited about making things better. Intrinsic motivation like this often leads to long-term success because inspired people are more likely to stick with things, set big goals, and push their teams to do their best.

4. Empathy?

Ability to understand how someone else feels and put yourself in their shoes is called empathy.

Why it's important for business: Think of a time when someone at work was having a hard time. If their boss has empathy, they might notice that they are upset and offer help, whether it's by saying something nice or adjusting their task. This could boost mood and get more work done. Also, being able to relate to customers helps you better understand what they want, which leads to better goods and services.

5. Social Skills? How to get along with others: Managing relationships and making connections well are part of social skills.

Why it's important for business: A good boss is like a glue that keeps the team together. A leader with good people skills can help everyone find common ground and move forward during a team project, for example, if there is an argument. These skills are necessary to make deals, form relationships, and create a workplace where people can work together.

To sum up, Emotional intelligence isn't just a trendy word. It's an important part of business sense that helps us make smart choices, deal with stress, form strong bonds with others, and inspire teams. The more EI we have, the easier and more effectively we can get around in the complicated world of business. So, next time you’re faced with a business challenge, remember: a little emotional intelligence can go a long way.

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Hmmm….How can you use your emotional intelligence to build stronger work relationships that matter?

Feel free to share further experiences on it.