Emotional Intelligence is sometimes referred to as Emotional Quotient (EQ), which is the ability to understand and manage emotions. If you have a high level of emotional intelligence, you are able to handle interpersonal relationships empathetically and can assist you to better achieve your professional goals. The five components of emotional intelligence at work are:
SELF-AWARENESS
The ability to identify your emotions and emotional triggers.
Being aware of your feelings helps you to understand how others may perceive your emotions. Using self-awareness at work will assist you to understand how you may be viewed by your co-workers, clients or employer.
SELF-REGULATION
The ability to control and regulate your emotions to create a more positive effect and therefore have a better outcome.
Having control of your emotions is essential in any situation because your emotions strongly affect other people. Being able to regulate your emotions is essential in the workplace in order to be able to maintain a professional and calm approach.
MOTIVATION
The urge and desire to do something.
It relates to emotional intelligence as your desires can promote different feelings toward something. For example, having a desire to complete all designated daily tasks successfully could be displayed as intrinsic motivation toward your employer, and also could be a way of fulfilling your own inner needs and goals.
EMPATHY
The ability to identify and understand the feelings of another person.
Being able to understand the feelings of others enables us to handle workplace situations more effectively. For example, when a colleague is showing signs of distress, you are able to react with empathy which could potentially assist in alleviating a situation.
SOCIAL SKILLS
The tools used to communicate and interact with others.
Having stronger social skills, like assertive communication and respect, allows you to listen, speak and resolve situations more effectively. Social skills can be used in the workplace to develop your career and are essential skills for leaders and managers.
WHY IS EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IMPORTANT IN THE WORKPLACE
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is important in the workplace in order to perceive, reason with, understand and manage your emotions and have an understanding as to why other’s may be responding the way they are. Being able to regulate emotions provides you with the ability to guide and support others, which can promote a happier, more effective work environment. Here are some reasons why Emotional Intelligence is important in the Workplace:
UNDERSTAND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Being able to recognise and understand non-verbal communication provides you with the opportunity to identify and rectify a situation before it has the potential to become a problem. For example, if you notice a colleague displaying some non-verbal signs of sadness, you may be able to take them aside to ask if they were ok?
AWARENESS OF PERSONAL EMOTIONS
Being aware of your own emotions allows you to adjust your thinking before it impacts your behaviour before it can become a potential issue for colleagues or others in the workplace. Re-focusing your energies into a positive mindset can alleviate the impact of negative emotions and mind-set.
IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES
When you are able to experience empathy you are able to understand someone else’s emotions, and therefore be able to work with colleagues in a more efficient manner.
CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Emotional intelligence and leadership skills go hand in hand. Actively displaying patience, active listening, positivity and empathy can assist you to advance to a leadership role or possibly earn a promotion or raise.
ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DEVELOP STRONG INTEPERSONAL SKILLS
Emotions are contagious. Displaying motivation, empathy, responsibility and teamwork could encourage others in your workplace.
