Transform Your Career by Developing Emotional Intelligence for the Workplace.

By Elize Fisher

As more studies show Emotional Intelligence improves employee productivity and job performance, it becomes a more coveted skill in the office. Emotional Intelligence is when you can understand your emotions and that of others and manage your feelings well. It shows a balance between intelligence and self-awareness. Emotionally intelligent people make better decisions, have excellent problem-solving skills, and are great communicators.

Emotional Intelligence: Rated into four categories:

· Self-Management – indicates being able to separate yourself and how you should act from your emotions. In other words, you can think clearly, when you feel stressed, anxious, or angry. Being productive is about preparation and good habits.

· Self-awareness - helps you to change negative habits, thoughts, or behaviour. When you have a high level of self-awareness, you can recognise how your beliefs and emotions affect your thoughts and behaviours.

· Social awareness – You can “read the room”understand what others need to feel comfortable and see social dynamics at play. Social awareness indicates how well you pick up on social cues or needs.

· Relational management – You manage conflict well, work well with others and develop positive relationships. Relational management indicates good interpersonal skills.

Follow these tips to build Emotional Intelligence:

1. Practice self-awareness. Practice self-reflection daily in a journal, notice when you’re reacting to something on autopilot, think about the feedback you receive, and practice seeing things from other people’s points of view and not just your own.

2. Receive criticism with grace. Use criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow.

3. See conflict as an opportunity to learn and understand more about others.

4. Listen to others. Individuals with high emotional intelligence are great listeners. Are you doing all the talking, or are you making space to listen?

5. Speak up and express yourself. In addition to great listening skills, emotionally intelligent people are great at speaking up when it matters. Don’t be afraid to pitch your out-of-the-box ideas or ensure your opinions are heard.

6. Work according to people’s strengths. People work differently and have different strengths. Be flexible and create an environment for each person to thrive, engage, and innovate.

Developing emotional intelligence will benefit you at work and outside of work. Wouldn’t life be great with effortless stress management, better relationships, and being able to “read the room”?