Many of our decisions are influenced to some degree by emotions. This links to a life skill. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage our emotions. This ability helps us to appreciate how we can influence, in an adaptive and intelligent way, both our emotions and our interpretation of the emotional states of others.
This skill is becoming increasingly important today, where the great competitiveness in the market requires professionals who not only have the necessary technical knowledge, but also have skills such as empathy, adaptability and resolution. Let’s review a list of seven tips to improve this ability at work.
1. Communicate assertively
Assertiveness is the ability to express feelings, ideas and opinions in a free, clear and simple way while respecting others. Emotionally intelligent people can earn respect without coming across as too aggressive or too passive. It is about communicating honestly, yet constructively.
2. Find a solution instead of reacting to conflict
During conflict, emotional outbursts and feelings of anger are common. The emotionally intelligent person knows how to stay calm during stressful situations. Such a person is less likely to make impulsive decisions that can lead to even bigger problems. There is an understanding that during conflict, the goal is to find a resolution while making a conscious choice to focus on ensuring all actions and words are in alignment with that.
3. Apply active listening skills
Everyone deserves to be heard, and by listening to different people, we learn. Be patient and try to not interrupt. In conversations, emotionally intelligent people are more inclined to make sure they understand what is being said before responding. They will pay attention to the non-verbal details of a conversation. This prevents misunderstandings and shows respect for the person with whom they are speaking.
4. Empathise with others
Empathy helps emotionally intelligent people to relate to others on a basic human level. It is most commonly defined as ‘putting yourself in someone else’s shoes’. It opens the door for mutual respect and the understanding between people with different opinions and situations. Remember to adapt your approach to people based on their personality. People are different from each other, so try to take the right approach based on the individual.
5. Learn to take constructive critique well
An important part of increasing your emotional intelligence is being able to take critique. Of course, the feedback must come in a constructive way. Emotionally intelligent people seek to understand where the critique is coming from, how it is affecting others or their own performance, and how they can constructively resolve issues.
6. Practice self-awareness
Emotionally intelligent people are usually more self-aware and intuitive. They are aware of their own emotions and the effect they have on those around them. They also are aware of others' emotions and body language, and use that information to enhance their communication skills.
7. Practice ways to maintain a positive attitude
Don't underestimate the power of your attitude. A negative attitude can easily infect another, if that person allows. Try to be optimistic. We may not be fully in control of our circumstances, but we can be in control of how we respond. Emotionally intelligent people are resilient in the face of challenges.
In addition, try to do activities that bring you the most joy throughout your day. Emotional intelligence can help us to better understand our team members, know how to relate to them and be able to identify their needs for better communication and greater productivity.
Paula Dalmau
Communications Coordinator Sales and Marketing, Medline Iberia
Paula is a passionate Spanish writer based in Madrid. Her interests are well-being, emotional intelligence and business topics. Her educational background is in journalism, advertising, public relations and digital marketing. Learn more on LinkedIn.
31 March 2022
