SOME people spend more time at work than with their family. How they relate with others at work will determine their happiness or frustrations.
As such, emotional intelligence becomes crucial in the workspace to maintain and manage relations. In the ever-evolving landscape of modern workplaces, technical skills (or hard skills) and qualifications are unquestionably crucial.
However, there is another indispensable component that often gets overlooked: emotional intelligence. This intangible quality plays a pivotal role in fostering healthy work environments, enhancing collaboration and driving overall success.
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is composed of a range of abilities which include self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills. These qualities are invaluable in navigating the complexities of interpersonal dynamics within any organisation. Scholars such as Daniel Goleman and Travis Bradberry have written extensively on this subject.
Self-awareness
It is one of the fundamental aspects of emotional intelligence. Individuals who possess a high level of self-awareness understand their emotions, strengths, weaknesses and how they affect those around them.
In a professional setting, this translates to an ability to recognise when one is under stress, frustrated or in need of support, enabling individuals to manage their reactions effectively. The more you are self-aware, the better.
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Self-regulation
When you are self-aware, it becomes easy to self-control or self-regulate. So, self-regulation is a key component of emotional intelligence. It is the ability to control your impulses, emotions and behaviours. This skill is particularly crucial in high-pressure situations or when faced with challenging circumstances. Employees who can regulate their emotions are better equipped to maintain composure, make rational decisions and resolve conflicts constructively.
Empathy
Empathy is another central component of emotional intelligence. It involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. In the workplace, empathetic individuals are skilful at recognising the perspectives and emotions of their colleagues, clients and stakeholders. This ability fosters stronger relationships, enhances communication and promotes a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Social skills
Social skills are integral to effective leadership, communication, teamwork and collaboration. Individuals with strong social skills excel in building rapport, communicating persuasively and inspiring others. They can navigate diverse personalities, mediate conflicts and foster a sense of comradeship within teams, ultimately driving productivity and innovation.
Emotional intelligence for effective leadership
John C. Maxwell says leadership is influence, nothing less nothing more. As we try to influence people, emotions come into play. So, there is no leadership without emotions at play. Therefore, the significance of emotional intelligence becomes even more pronounced in leadership roles. Leaders who possess high emotional intelligence are better equipped to inspire and motivate their teams, adapt to change and navigate complex organisational challenges.
They foster a culture of open communication, trust and psychological safety, which are essential for employee engagement and retention.
Benefits of emotional intelligence
Companies that prioritise emotional intelligence harvest numerous benefits. Improved employee morale, reduced turnover rates and enhanced team dynamics are just a few of the positive outcomes. Additionally, emotional intelligence contributes to higher levels of customer satisfaction, as empathetic employees are better equipped to understand and address customer needs effectively.
How to improve emotional intelligence
The importance of emotional intelligence cannot be emphasised enough. Companies must embrace emotional intelligence in their workplace. How do they improve emotional intelligence? Companies must invest in training programmes and workshops focused on emotional intelligence development.
Providing opportunities for employees to enhance their self-awareness, communication skills and conflict resolution abilities can yield significant dividends.
Culture should value emotional intelligence
Culture is what makes a company or organisation. So, fostering a culture that values emotional intelligence starts with leaders. Leaders must lead by example, demonstrating empathy, transparency and active listening in their interactions with employees. When hiring, it is crucial to make emotional intelligence assessments. It is crucial to identify candidates who possess the necessary qualities to thrive in the organisation's culture.
Parting point
Emotional intelligence is not just a desirable trait; it is a fundamental aspect of success in the modern workplace. By nurturing emotional intelligence among employees and leaders alike, corporates can cultivate environments where individuals thrive, teams excel and business objectives are achieved with greater efficacy, speed, agility and harmony.
- Jonah Nyoni is an author, speaker, and leadership trainer. He can be contacted on X @jonahnyoni. WhatsApp: +263 772 581 918
