If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands. Leading with Heart: How Emotional Intelligence Drives Productivity

Last week I went to the cinema to watch Inside Out 2, I had a great time, and afterwards I caught myself thinking that the cartoon is actually not for children only, it has a crucial idea to deliver: all our emotions are critically important. The way we deal with our emotions makes us who we are. And the goal is not to let the emotions mold and shape our characters, on the contrary, we should wisely approach them, recognise, accept, live through in such a way that we benefit and upgrade. That is what people call Emotional Intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It is a critical skill for managers because it directly influences their ability to lead effectively, create a positive work environment, and wisely approach the complexities of human interactions. Managers with high EI find it easier to handle stress, communicate clearly, resolve conflicts, and inspire their teams. The concept of EI includes five key components: self-awareness, the ability to understand one's own emotions; self-regulation, the capacity to control and adapt emotions; motivation, the drive to achieve goals with passion and persistence; empathy, the skill of understanding and sharing the feelings of others; and social skills, the proficiency in managing relationships and building networks. By understanding and valuing each team member's perspective, managers can create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, leading to increased trust, cooperation, and overall productivity.

One of the important parts of EI is Positive Thinking. It is the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation, maintaining an optimistic outlook, and expecting favorable outcomes. This mindset can have profound benefits in the workplace, including higher job satisfaction, improved problem-solving abilities, and increased resilience in the face of challenges. Positive thinking fosters a more supportive and motivated work environment, which can lead to higher levels of productivity and creativity. Psychologically, positive thinking can significantly influence mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and the risk of depression. It promotes emotional well-being and helps individuals cope better with everyday stressors, ultimately leading to a healthier, more balanced, and productive work life.

As mentioned above, EI and positive thinking are deeply interconnected, mutually reinforcing each other to create a powerful synergy that contributes to greater personal and professional outcomes. EI provides the self-awareness and self-regulation needed to maintain a positive outlook, while positive thinking boosts the emotional resilience required to manage stress and navigate challenges effectively. Together, they create a virtuous cycle where a positive mindset fuels better emotional regulation and interpersonal skills, which in turn fosters further positivity. For instance, in a project management scenario, a manager with high EI and a positive outlook can inspire and motivate their team even during tough times, maintaining morale and productivity. Case studies, such as Google's Project Aristotle, highlight how teams with high EI and a culture of positive reinforcement outperform others, demonstrating increased efficiency, creativity, and satisfaction.?

Developing EI, similar to building any other skill,? involves intentional practices and continuous effort. Self-reflection is a foundational technique for improving self-awareness; managers can keep journals to document their emotional responses and reflect on patterns or triggers. Think of having a retrospective for yourself, dedicate it to individual analysis of what went well or not, what could be improved, introduced or canceled completely regarding your emotional response to certain things within a specific period of time. Regularly seeking feedback from colleagues and mentors also provides valuable insights into their emotional habits and interpersonal skills. Mindfulness and stress management techniques are essential for self-regulation. Practices such as meditation and deep breathing exercises help managers stay calm under pressure and maintain control over their emotional responses. I will reveal a secret: I try to have 5 minutes per day to do the 4-by-4 or “square” breathing exercises (Breathe in to the count of four, keep the air in to the count of four, breathe out to the count of 4, and hold without air to the count of four). It is the simplest one, but afterwards I do feel like my head is brighter and works better. Continuous learning is vital for cultivating EI; managers should actively engage in professional development opportunities, such as EI workshops or coaching sessions, to refine their skills. Embracing a growth mindset, where seeking feedback and learning from experiences is encouraged, helps managers consistently improve.

Cultivating positive thinking in the workplace can be achieved with different techniques that promote optimism and appreciation. If you are struggling with generating ideas, I highly recommend going to management30.com to get your dose of inspiration.? They share easy-to-implement practices, and it is great fun to experiment. Implementing gratitude practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal or sharing daily appreciations in team meetings, or using Kudo cards fosters a culture of thankfulness and boosts overall morale. Encouraging positive feedback and recognition is also crucial; by regularly acknowledging and celebrating individual and team achievements, managers can create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.?

Integrating EI and positive thinking into project management processes begins with adopting leadership styles that prioritize empathy, active listening, and constructive communication. Leaders who practice transformational or servant leadership, for example, emphasize understanding team members' needs and fostering a supportive, positive environment. Structuring team meetings to encourage open communication and positivity is another crucial aspect; this can be achieved by creating a safe space where all members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns, and by starting meetings with positive highlights or appreciations to set an uplifting tone. Performance reviews and feedback sessions should also be oriented toward growth and positive reinforcement. Managers can focus on strengths, offer constructive feedback in a supportive manner, and set goals that inspire and challenge team members.?

Sure enough, if you are not convinced in the benefits EI provides, you can think of measuring its effects. To properly measure the impact of EI and positive thinking on productivity, it's crucial to establish relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These may include metrics such as employee engagement scores, team cohesion, and conflict resolution rates. Tracking these KPIs helps quantify how improvements in EI and positive thinking contribute to a more welcoming and efficient workplace. Employee surveys and feedback tools are also valuable for gauging the emotional climate and overall positivity within the team. These surveys can assess team members' perceptions of support, communication, and morale, providing qualitative data on the workplace environment. Finally, analyzing project outcomes, such as completion rates, adherence to deadlines, and overall project success, offers a concrete measure of how these psychological factors correlate with project performance. That is a good way to gain a comprehensive understanding of the tangible benefits brought about by fostering EI and positive thinking in your teams. However, you should be aware that it is a time consuming work. Even collecting data for initial evidence should take at least three months on continuous data collection. Sampling size, regularity of data collection, accuracy of interpreting it - these are the factors that can either contribute to or jeopardize your goals. And don’t underestimate small steps! Slowly and gradually introduced positive changes might not bring fruit the very next day, but in the long run you will feel the difference!

To sum it up, I would like to highlight the importance of leading by example. Empathize with your teams, show them you care, and do care for real! Help them see positive things and opportunities in every situation. Be yourself, don’t be scared of your emotions. Try to understand them and tame. It was not in vain I chose the lyrics from the children song in the title. Show your emotions, and do it wisely.?

Be like Joy! With that attitude, everything is possible!

If you are interested in the topic, I highly recommend the course that is available here, on LinkedIn Learning.

1 - Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

2 - Image from https://pixar.fandom.com/wiki/Joy