The way that we handle ourselves in a work environment – and how we relate to others – is more relevant now than it has ever been. While skills, experience and aptitude are still key, the qualities of emotional intelligence, such as motivation and how well we manage our own feelings, are just as likely to be assessed. The World Economic Forum ranked Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as sixth among the Top 10 skills employees need to thrive in the future workplace. But how do you nurture EQ to compose yourself at work and how might it impact on your career?
Defining Emotional Intelligence
EQ is the ability to recognise, manage and understand feelings and emotions. It could take a range of different forms, including being able to control impulses and moods, to recognise emotions and to feel the empathy required to understand why others do what they do. Multiple surveys have shown that EQ is increasingly something that hiring managers look for. It also has a big part to play in whether employees are promoted or not. Plus, EQ has been linked to performance – 90% of top performers also demonstrate high EQ.
EQ in the workplace
The impact on motivation
A high EQ means that someone has the ability to self-regulate, to understand their own emotions, as well as those of others, such as competitors. This can have a significant impact on motivation, helping to reduce time wasting and making it easier to set clearer, more achievable goals that you actually accomplish.
Team EQ
Just like an individual, a team can also develop its own EQ. Nurturing EQ at a team level means building up a high degree of trust, group identity and team efficiency. It relies on establishing benchmarks of EQ at every level of interaction within the team. Those teams that demonstrate the most achievement and efficiency are often those where EQ levels are high.
Positive Mental Attitude
No matter what the circumstances, it seems that those with higher EQ are better able to handle life and to develop a positive mental outlook that makes them more composed at work.
Communication and understanding others
High EQ brings empathy and the ability to understand others in the workplace, their wants, needs and motivation. It enables you to identify another person’s point of view and to get more insight into how they behave. People with high EQ also find it much easier to communicate, which is a key foundation for being a positive, proactive and composed member of the workplace.
Handling stress
EQ may also have an influence when it comes to the impact of work stress. Stress can affect many areas of our lives, from sleeping to the choices we make when it comes to exercise and food. Even in a high pressured situation, strong EQ makes it simpler to choose options that will contribute towards more effective handling of stress.
Our
Working With Emotional Intelligence course is designed to help you understand and nurture EQ in the workplace so that you can integrate it into your everyday experience.