9 Ways to Boost Your Workplace Emotional Intelligence

27^th
Apr

Emotional intelligence has become a highly sought-after skill among employers in today's job market. Statistics have shown that companies with employees who have high levels of emotional intelligence have consistently witnessed increases in sales and production. Emotional intelligence is a valued asset in the workplace, playing a major role in contributing to the success of any organization. Reports suggest that employees with high emotional intelligence show more creativity and job satisfaction compared to those with low EI.

Emotional intelligence is a set of skills that enable individuals to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions while also comprehending and influencing the emotions of others. The growing popularity of this skill is due to its ability to enhance performance both in the workplace and in personal life. The demand for candidates with strong emotional intelligence has led to an increased importance placed on emotional intelligence training, which is seen as crucial for developing and improving these skills.

Margaret Andrews, an instructor of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, has emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence by stating, 'Emotional intelligence is critical in building and maintaining relationships and influencing others - key skills that help people throughout their career and wherever they sit in an organizational structure.' 

This article aims at bringing before you 9 easy ways that will help you build and improve your emotional intelligence in the workplace: 

1. Observe How You Feel

Improving emotional intelligence begins with developing an awareness of what and how one feels in a given situation. Practising mindfulness is an effective way to achieve this, as it allows for gaining perspective on one's emotions. Understanding one's emotions is crucial to managing both positive and negative emotions, which is a key aspect of emotional intelligence. Therefore, developing mindfulness is an essential step in enhancing emotional intelligence.

Practising mindfulness also helps to build empathy towards others by increasing attention towards those around you. By carefully listening and communicating with others, relationships can be strengthened, which enhances productivity in the workplace. Building empathy towards others is an essential part of emotional intelligence, and developing this skill can have a positive impact on both personal and professional relationships.

2. Be Attentive to Your Behaviour

Practising emotional awareness also includes monitoring one’s behaviour. Pay closer attention to your reactions and responses while experiencing certain emotions. Managing emotions gets easier when you are aware of the way you react in certain situations. You will get clarity on how people respond or feel about certain behaviour of yours. Accordingly, you can change or control those emotions to win the trust of your team members.

3. Acknowledge and Appreciate Your Emotions 

Improving emotional intelligence does not mean denying or neglecting one's emotions. Rather, it involves developing an understanding of how to manage one's emotions so they do not overpower them. Acknowledging and accepting one's emotions, and being honest about how one feels, is essential. Only by valuing and validating one's own emotions can an individual develop the capacity to understand and empathize with others. This is a key aspect of emotional intelligence and essential for building strong, positive relationships.

4. Question your Opinions

Being closed-minded and refusing to consider others' perspectives can lead to conflicts in the workplace. To avoid this, it's essential to communicate and listen to others before arriving at a conclusion. Sometimes, one's opinion may turn out to be wrong, and it's important to acknowledge this and learn from it. Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and accepting this can lead to personal and professional growth. It's crucial to stay open-minded and be willing to learn and unlearn, as this is a key aspect of developing emotional intelligence.

5. Believe in Yourself 

Having a strong belief in oneself is the only way to achieve great heights. When you are confident in yourself, you will be able to inspire and motivate those around you. But, make sure to draw a fine line between being confident and being over-confident. The latter can bring in very negative results, as it fuels your ego and makes you arrogant and self-centred. 

6. Develop Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is an essential component of emotional intelligence. It involves understanding and recognizing your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Without self-awareness, it is challenging to manage and regulate your emotions effectively. Acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses is the first step in developing self-awareness. It allows you to identify areas where you need to improve and focus on them. By becoming more self-aware, you can also develop empathy towards others, which is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence.

7. Assert Yourself

Asserting oneself should not be mistaken for a domineering and aggressive character. Asserting oneself means stating your opinions in a confident manner. Professionals with strong emotional intelligence are known for their ability to keep their emotions in check even during stressful situations. However, it should be remembered that an opinion should be formed after hearing everyone out.

8. Practice Emotional Management Techniques

Participating in emotional intelligence training can introduce you to techniques that help you manage your emotions better. The training evaluates your emotional intelligence based on your ability to stay calm and poised even during stressful situations. A positive attitude encourages and motivates team members to stay confident. A calm and composed mind is capable of generating relevant and productive solutions. Just as a stone causes ripples in calm water, a mind overwhelmed with emotions leads to stress and confusion.

9. Empathize with Others 

Once you have come to terms with your own emotions, you will then be able to stay attuned to the feelings of others. The first step in achieving this is by practising deep listening. When you lend your attentive ears to the thoughts and perspectives of others, a strong relationship built upon trust is formed. Especially in the workplace, acknowledging others' viewpoints is necessary to build a strong team. It is important to understand that empathy is not about always agreeing with others, but rather about respecting and acknowledging their feelings and perspectives. By doing so, you create a positive work environment and foster a sense of belonging among your colleagues.

The importance of emotional intelligence, both in professional and personal life, is evident from the article. However, to excel in it, one needs a knowledgeable and experienced trainer. Attending emotional intelligence training is essential to understand all the critical aspects of mastering emotional intelligence. Through training, you can learn techniques to manage emotions better, listen actively, and empathize with others. Moreover, emotional intelligence training helps you build strong relationships and enhance productivity in the workplace.

Message from the Author

If you’re looking to enrol for the Emotional Intelligence Training in Dubai, get in touch with Learners Point Academy. To learn more, visit the website: https://learnerspoint.org/, give a call at +971 (04) 403 8000, or simply drop a message on WhatsApp.

Learners Point Academy is a KHDA and ISO 9001:2015 accredited training institute in Dubai.

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