Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace | What, Why & Examples

Emotional intelligence has taken the front seat over the last several years when it comes to determining success in the workplace. Recent studies have shown that people who are high in emotional intelligence tend to be more productive, have higher social skills, and are more successful than their less emotionally intelligent colleagues.  But what exactly defines emotional intelligence in the workplace?  Why is it so important?  And what does emotional intelligence look like?

Aspects of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace Which Define an Effective Leader

If you want to be an effective leader, then you need to understand the core components of emotional intelligence in the workplace.

1.     Self-Regulation

Self-regulation, or discipline, involves your ability to control or redirect your disruptive emotions and being able to adapt to changing circumstances to keep your team moving in the right direction. Being calm is contagious. As a leader, you can’t afford to panic when things get a bit too stressful. When you can learn to stay calm and positive, you are better able to think and communicate more clearly.

2.     Empathy and Compassion

Empathy is your ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes so you can understand how they feel and react appropriately to the situation. When you have empathy, your capacity to feel compassion is higher. The emotions that you feel in response to suffering is what motivates a desire in you to help. The more you can relate to those around you, the better you’ll come to understand what motivates and upsets them.

3.     Relationship Management

If you’re distracted, you will never be able to make deep connections with others. Everyone has family obligations and a crazy to-do list, but being able to build and maintain healthy relationships is essential to your ability to boost your emotional intelligence, You have to have the ability to communicate effectively and maintain relationships if you want to move people in the right direction within your organization.

4.     Effective Communication

Effective communication is of the utmost importance when it comes to being an effective leader. Recent studies have shown that communication is seven percent the words you say and 93 percent tone and body language. Misunderstandings and lack of communication are usually the basis of problems between people. Failing to communicate effectively at work leads to frustration, confusion, and bitterness among employees.

When you are competent at communicating, you can eliminate obstacles and encourage stronger relationships within your company. When you have high emotional intelligence, you can clearly convey directions and know what needs to be said to inspire and motivate your employees. Communication is an essential skill that all leaders need to have because it can be the deciding factor in whether or not your team listens.

Reasons Why Emotional Intelligence is Vital for Leaders

Now that you understand what emotional intelligence is, time to turn to why it is such an important skill for leaders. 

1.     Self-Awareness

Great and useful leaders that have high emotional intelligence are that they are self-aware, and they can recognize emotions as they happen. This is an incredibly vital skill if you want to be a great leader because it can help you obtain a clear understanding of your particular strengths and weaknesses. When you have self-awareness, you are better able to perceive emotions as they arise in response to an action or situation.

2.     Emotional Management

Having high emotional intelligence means that you are able to manage your emotions and stay in control effectively. When you can manage your feelings, you are unlikely to rush headlong into decisions or let anger take over your behavior. To be an effective leader, you have to be able to keep your emotions in check.

3.     Social Awareness

Leaders that have high levels of emotional intelligence are well tuned into the emotions of others and are able to pick up on what is happening around them effectively. They can sympathize with others and providing helpful feedback. Leaders who are looking to inspire and motivate their employees having social awareness is a critical skill. If, as a leader, you are unable to empathize with your employees, you will find it challenging to obtain the respect and loyalty of your employees.

4.     Conflict Resolution

In every workplace, there is always the risk that conflicts will disrupt the efficiency and productivity of the office. With high emotional intelligence, you are better equipped to handle disputes and provide resolutions to conflicts. With this skill, you can quickly satisfy any disagreements that might arise between your employees.

Four Examples of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

It can help tremendously to understand how emotional intelligence manifests itself in the workplace. Here are some of the best examples of emotional intelligence that you can look for at work.

An Upset Colleague Finds A Compassionate Ear

Every employee will have a bad day from time to time, and no one is immune from getting upset. How you deal with an angry employee speaks volumes about your emotional intelligence. Compassion and understanding are sure signs of emotional intelligence in practice. When you are aware of and respond to other’s emotions, it shows that you have a belief that everyone experiences strong emotions from time to time and that you acknowledge that other’s feelings matter.

People Can Express Themselves Openly

When you have a workplace where people are confident about speaking their minds, expressing their emotions, and exchanging views without retribution, you have a workplace that is demonstrating high emotional intelligence. As long as the exchanges are respectful, emotionally intelligent people don’t get upset when other’s opinions don’t match their own.

Providing Flexibility

Providing some flexibility with the way people work can mean the difference between retaining the best talent and having high turnover. Emotionally intelligent leaders understand the changing demand and are prepared to work with their employees rather than trying to restrict how people do their work. They don’t expect everybody to work the hours that they do, live by the same values, or hold the same priorities.

People are Given the Freedom to Be Creative

Depending on the nature of the organization, there may be a high value placed on creativity. Ideally, you will have a good match between creative people and an innovative organization. Emotionally intelligent workplaces allow people the time, space, and freedom to be creative and march to the beat of their own drum in order to achieve it.

If you want to become a more effective leader, then you need to develop emotional intelligence skills. With a higher emotional intelligence, you can become a more effective leader and create a more productive work environment.  In turn, by modeling emotional intelligence in the workplace consistently you will help mold a more connected and successful team who enjoys working together. 

Leave us a comment below about examples of emotional intelligence at your workplace. We’d love to hear from you.

P.S. You may be interested in our ebook, How to Develop Emotional Intelligence, for sale now in our digital downloads section or visit our YouTube Channel.