Emotional Intelligence at Work

Psychological studies have found that the best motivational strategies for both managers and for employees involve helping people to feel relaxed, at ease, and confident.

For example, every manager should establish a ‘triage game’ to help address employees’ concerns about their job performance. In meetings, it is important that members of a team identify their strengths and weakness themselves before discussing projects, goals, and timelines.

Emotional intelligence is based on managing emotions in a range of workplace situations.

Individuals can improve their ability to make insightful judgments and gain greater control over their behaviour depending on the circumstances.

Experts believe that EI helps individuals to understand the motivation of colleagues and to be confident in expressing their thoughts and views appropriately. EI enables people to share their feelings professionally, reducing the incidence of workplace conflict.

Emotionally intelligent people are more likely to look after themselves and tend to experience better self-esteem.

It is reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that those with high levels of emotional intelligence are more likely to be aware of the implications of their actions.

“Once you are confronted by some task, such as opening a package or sorting through a box of books, you have to devote some of your thinking energy to solving the problem. If you are an emotional retardant, then you might devote all of your thinking energy toward the task instead of to its solution.

“In contrast, if you are an emotionally intelligent person, you have resources that make it easier for you to construct emotional frames for seeing the situation and deciding how to act.” Martin Seligman

An emotional connection with colleagues helps everyone to understand the impact of their actions on others. All our actions at work can influence others, from an uplifting smile to a simple thank you.

Understanding the challenges, motivations, and feelings of those around us contributes to a positive working environment and helps us to interact more positively with customers.

Taking account of emotional intelligence helps us to communicate our goals effectively and respectfully.

Failing to be true to ourselves can result in low self-esteem. Focusing on EI helps everyone to communicate and understand the motivations of others. Improving emotional intelligence requires practice and support and can enable us to fulfil our own potential while also helping others.

Emotional intelligence is based on a way of thinking.

EI helps to strengthen the ability to learn how to regulate emotions based on previous experiences. Individuals that are able to reflect on their experiences and adapt their future behaviour become more productive and creative.

Improving emotionally intelligence requires an understanding of the difference between fact and opinion. It helps to develop new ways of thinking and an ability to modify reactions to feelings, fostering a more positive dialogue. Emotional intelligence can be improved by:

1. Challenging yourself in groups
2. Offering your honest opinion

Neuroscience provides significant evidence that emotional intelligence is a critical factor in success.

“The ability to make snap decisions, tune in to people around you, and manage complexity is all-important”, says Esther Dyson, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of the book ‘Emotional Intelligence: The New Psychology of Success’.

Research also demonstrates that emotional intelligence is not just a valuable strength at work but provides a foundation for a better approach to life.

At Medigold Health, we consider all the latest research and employ people with skills and techniques that are  designed to improve the quality of working life for your staff.

We know that poor EI contributes to higher levels of workplace stress and that it is important for employees to learn how to manage their response to the emotions of colleagues.

If you would like to discuss how Medigold Health can help improve EI in your workplace, please get in touch.