Transform Your Career by Developing Emotional Intelligence for the Workplace

As organizations seek better ways to create a more productive, positive and successful workforce, emotional intelligence is becoming a more coveted skill amongst their employees at all levels.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It shows a balance between intelligence and self-awareness. This skill can be useful in a variety of situations, including managing conflict, building relationships with customers and colleagues, and making effective decisions.

Emotional intelligence is an unique asset. Studies have shown that emotional intelligence training improved employee productivity and retention since leaders who use it effectively can come up with solutions from a more holistic perspective and express their ideas clearly, communicate more effectively and constructively create consensus around challenging topics.

?Emotional intelligence can be rated in four categories:

1. Self-management. You are able to think clearly in situations where you feel stressed, anxious, or angry. Self-management indicates being able to separate yourself and how you should act from your emotions.
2. Self-awareness. Self-awareness helps your ability to change negative habits, thoughts, or behavior. When you have a high level of self-awareness, you can recognize how your beliefs and emotions affect your thoughts and behavior, which directly influences how you're showing up to those you work with.
3. Social awareness. Social awareness is your ability to “read the room.” You can understand what others need to feel comfortable, as well as see social dynamics at play. Social awareness indicates how well you pick up on social cues or needs.
4. Relationship management. You manage conflict well, work well with others, and develop positive relationships overall. Relational management indicates good interpersonal skills.

Are you interested in improving your emotional awareness so that you can excel at work?

Follow these tips:

1. ?Observe yourself from the outside in. Mentally step back and look down at yourself objectively in every engagement you have with every individual you connect with. See the bigger picture, see patterns, make connections, evaluate yourself in action and gather insights. Receive criticism with grace. Think before you react to criticism. Use criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow. To develop this, practice self-reflection in a daily journal. Notice when you react to something on autopilot. Think about feedback you receive. Practice seeing things from other people’s point of view, and not just your own. With greater perspective and awareness of the fuller system at work, you have more choices of moves you can make in your own context.
2. See conflict as an opportunity to learn and understand more about others. Conflict can be frustrating, but it’s inevitable. Instead of avoiding it, take conflict as an opportunity to understand where another person is coming from. By nature, you may choose to avoid conflict as you don't want to ruffle feathers or create deeper problems. Instead, if you're able to change your mindset about the issue at hand and view it objectively through the lens of two or more people simply having a different perspective on a topic. This way, there is not always a "right" or "wrong" answer - it's just simply an opportunity to choose between multiple options after each individual has had a full opportunity to express their ideas and/or feelings.
3. Become adept at observing interpersonal dynamics. How well do you pick up on the feelings of people around you? Do you know who to go to when you need a solution? What “unwritten rules” do people follow at your workplace? Being able to read the room can position you as a superstar or changemaker at your organization. Even in situations where your belief system tells you that you are 100 percent 'right' in a particular situation, don't allow your strong conviction to stifle the ability of others to share their thoughts, opinions or data, since they too may feel as strongly as you do. Observe their body language, the strength of their voice on the topic and how others are reaching to their contributions and then pick your battles carefully. Figure out if it's more important to win the "fight" or lose the confidence of others because you bullied your way to the final solution.
4. Actively listen to others. People with high emotional intelligence are great listeners. Are you doing all the talking, or are you making space to do more listening than transmitting? Try to listen in meetings and make an effort to ask people what they think. This encourages openness, honesty, and helps the overall team succeed and feel like their part of the solution. When you pay close attention to whomever you are engaging with, you are exhibiting to that person they are being heard, which builds trust and makes that individual feel like their words matter to you.
5. Speak up and express yourself. In addition to great listening skills, emotionally intelligent people are great at speaking up when it matters, too. Don’t be afraid to pitch your out-of-the-box ideas or make sure your opinions get heard! On any given day, you engage with a wide range of individuals at all levels and in every situation, you have the opportunity to highlight your differentiated and strategic points of view on all topics. Don't shy away from owning 'your' space in those conversations. Even if your boss is representing your department in the meeting and you're there primarily to support him/her, have something to say or ask an insightful question. If you continually show up as part of the wallpaper in those rooms, people won't notice you.
6. Work to people’s strengths. People work differently and have different strengths. Be flexible to the different types of people who make up your team. Create an environment for each person to thrive and be engaged and innovative. As a leader, lean into the strengths of others in a 360 degree fashion, so that you're not only allowing them to help ensure the team is ultimately successful, but use it as a learning opportunity for your growth, as well. Always remember - just because you have title does not mean you 'know.' Utilize all of the resources at your disposal for maximum output in every situation.
7. Manage your stress levels. People with higher emotional intelligence have become more aware of their emotional triggers, which can help them identify and manage your stress levels more effectively. Using techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and positive self-talk can help you build better relationships and communication skills which can reduce stress caused by misunderstandings or conflicts.

If you believe you might need help developing or enhancing your emotional intelligence, working with a career development coach can guide you to recognize – and change – your assumptions, motivations and behaviors.

Please visit?www.1988strategies.com ?for to sign up for a?FREE?coaching consultation to learn how you can make the right strategic choices to maximize your career opportunities.

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