Creating an Emotionally Intelligent Workplace
An intelligent workplace leverages modern technologies, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and decision-making, all based on the core objectives of an organization.
An emotionally intelligent workplace emphasizes understanding, managing, and effectively expressing emotions within the organization by promoting empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills among employees.
Intelligent vs. Emotionally Intelligent Workplaces
While an intelligent workplace emphasizes the technical and process-oriented aspects of work to increase productivity, an emotionally intelligent workplace, on the other hand, prioritizes creating a supportive and understanding work environment to foster collaboration, well-being, and respectful communication.
While the intelligent workplace leverages tools and systems, the emotionally intelligent workplace leans on human-centered practices and behaviors. Both are essential for a thriving work environment, but they target different aspects of organizational performance and culture.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions, as well as the ability to recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.
It involves empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills, allowing individuals to navigate social complexities, build relationships, and make more informed and compassionate decisions.
Emotional intelligence (EI) is also referred to as emotional quotient (EQ) and emotional intelligence quotient (EIQ).
It is the ability to perceive and comprehend your emotions and the emotions of others, allowing you to control your behavior and manage your relationships with others.
For some, this may sound impossible.
For others it may be common practice.
It all depends on your natural emotional quotient. Fortunately, whether your natural EQ is high or low, there are ways to increase it (read on!).
Why is EI Important in the Workplace?
An emotionally intelligent person is the greatest asset a company can have. People with high emotional quotients are the most effective leaders, employees, coworkers and team members because they are able to appropriately manage themselves in a variety of situations.
They are able to produce quality work, meet deadlines, appropriately resolve conflicts, respond to constructive criticism, create and maintain lasting relationships with coworkers and clients, all while contributing to the overarching prosperity of the company.
Now, imagine how a workplace filled with emotionally intelligent individuals. It’s a recipe for success!
Statistics & Facts about Emotional Intelligence
90% of top performers have a high emotional quotient (Entrepreneur)
Regardless of industry, emotional intelligence is directly responsible for 58% of professional success (LinkedIn)
On average, professionals with a high emotional quotient earn $29,000 more annually, than those with a low emotional quotient (LinkedIn)
An internal study by PepsiCo found that emotionally intelligent managers outperformed yearly revenue targets by 15-20% (LinkedIn)
Emotionally intelligent companies receive higher rates of customer satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy (Human Resource Executive)
Qualities of an Emotionally Intelligent Person
Those with a high emotional intelligence quotient often possess the following qualities (and many more) that help them navigate the world around them.
Emotionally intelligent people are empathetic. They are able to relate to the difficulties faced by colleagues and clients, strengthening their relationships with those people.
Emotionally intelligent people are balanced. They are able to effectively manage their personal life and work life, while addressing their own needs.
Emotionally intelligent people are curious. Their curious minds allow them and others to be creative and innovative without judgement.
Emotionally intelligent people are adaptable. They take change in stride, unafraid to face new challenges and understand that growth is a necessary part of life.
And, emotionally intelligent people are gracious. While hardships are inescapable, they are able to remain grateful for their surroundings.
Four Key Skills of Emotional Intelligence
Self-awareness: the ability to perceive and comprehend your emotions.
Self-management: the ability to control your emotions so that they do not negatively impact yourself or others.
Social awareness: the ability to perceive and understand the emotions of others.
Relationship management: the ability to use the aforementioned skills to successfully create and maintain relationships.
Examples of High EQ at Work
An emotionally intelligent professional is equipped to handle a variety of workplace situations. Here are a couple of examples where you, an emotionally intelligent professional, use your skills to assess, de-escalate and resolve common workplace issues.
Example 1: A disgruntled client barges into your office, walks up to you (the first employee they see) and angrily explains the issue they are facing.
You recognize that the customer is upset about an issue that does not involve you, you address the customer with a calm tone and work with the customer to solve the issue at hand.
Example 2: One of your employees has fallen behind at work. You call them into your office to have a discussion. You ask the employee why they think they’ve fallen behind and if there is anything you can do to help.
You work together to create a productivity plan, you provide any necessary resources and proceed to check in with your employee regularly.
How do I Improve my EQ?
If you are looking to improve one or more of the foundational skills of an emotionally intelligent person, utilize the following strategies:
To improve self-awareness, journal your emotions, treat your emotions neutrally, understand what provokes you and seek feedback.
To improve self-management, visualize yourself succeeding, set aside time to mentally recharge and sleep on an issue that is troubling you (you might wake up with a different perspective).
To improve social awareness, live in the moment, watch for changes in body language, put yourself in someone else’s shoes and take the time to truly listen.
And to improve relationship management, accept feedback, be open minded, show that you care and don’t run from tough conversations.
In addition to these strategies aimed at improving specific skills, there are several ways to improve your emotional intelligence overall.
First, consider taking an online course that centers around developing emotional intelligence. For some, a classroom setting is the most effective way to learn new material, and learning in the midst of an expert can be helpful if you have questions or need additional assistance.
Second, research hands-on workshops that demonstrate how to use emotional intelligence in the workplace. This will prepare you for future encounters in the office.
Third, engage in activities or games that promote the growth of your emotional quotient. Opportunities for creativity can excel the learning process and encourage innovative thinking.
Fourth, gather materials (see below!) that explain the necessity of emotional intelligence in the workplace. When approaching a new concept, it is always important to conduct your own research and find materials that you can connect with and understand on your own.
How Does EQ Make Me a Better Leader?
A high emotional intelligence quotient can improve your leadership skills immensely:
Creating and maintaining successful relationships with the employees that you manage will reduce employee turnover.
Engaging and encouraging your team will motivate them to perform at a higher level and demonstrate more creativity.
Empathizing with clients and treating them as the human beings that they are will promote lifelong brand loyalty.
And, having a higher emotional intelligence quotient can set you up for that promotion you’ve always wanted!
How Does EQ Make Me a Better Employee and Colleague?
As an employee, having a high emotional intelligence quotient sets you up for long-term success.
A high EIQ strengthens your professional relationships, making it easier to prevent and resolve conflict. It shows you the value of helping others and teamwork, which is the key to a thriving office culture.
Furthermore, it provides you with intrinsic motivation, allowing you to perform as best you can while sticking to deadlines. And, it may earn you a promotion or help secure your future with the company.
Further Resources on Emotional Intelligence
Assessments and Excercises
MindTools Assessment - This is a free assessment to determine your emotional intelligence quotient. After completing the 15 question assessment you’ll find a score interpretation chart and a breakdown of the characteristics of emotional intelligence.
Global Leadership Foundation Assessment - This free assessment is based on Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Competency Model. This 40 question assessment takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Positive Psychology Toolbox - Activities, worksheets, online courses, presentations, videos and more are provided to improve your emotional intelligence.
Articles
How to Improve Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace from Positive Psychology
How to Use Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace from Bamboo HR
High Emotional Intelligence is Essential in Today’s Workplace from INC
Utilizing Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace from VeryWellMind
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace from University of Southern California
Books
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves
Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman
The Emotionally Intelligent Manager by David R. Caruso & Peter Salovey
Emotional Intelligence: For a Better Life, Success at Work, and Happier Relationships by Brandon Goleman
The Leader’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence by Drew Bird
Emotional Intelligence: Managing Emotions to Make a Positive Impact on Your Life and Career by Gill Hasson