How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Last updated December 11, 2021

Develop your emotional intelligence to get ahead

In 2019, the demand for employees with skills in emotional intelligence skyrocketed. Why? Because as the use of AI and automation increases, so does the desperate need to have humans do what robots cannot. The ability to emotionally connect. 

Companies that actively look for emotional intelligence at the interview stage of recruitment enjoy enhanced productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and higher market share. Leaving no doubt that emotional intelligence is a valuable skill to both the worker and the company.

But what is it, how do you measure it, and how can you develop better emotional intelligence in the workplace?

Here’s everything you need to know. 

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence means the awareness, identification and management of our emotions. And, similarly, awareness of other people’s emotions. There are five primary aspects of emotional intelligence, each of which can be developed with leadership training. 

The Five Characteristics of Emotional Intelligence

1. Emotional Awareness 

   This refers to a sense of mindfulness surrounding your emotions. You can identify an emotion when you feel it and mindfully consider why you have that emotion, and what it means in this particular situation. It also means having the humility to know you are not perfect, to be able to realistically acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses.

2. Self Regulation

   Self-regulation refers to your own sense of control over your emotions. Leaders who are self-regulated rarely make rash decisions, stereotype people or shout at colleagues. Having self-regulation is particularly tricky in high-pressure situations and this is where executive coaching can come in. Coaching will help you work through the difficult, everyday scenarios you face at work, whilst building the tools you need to stay as cool as a cucumber when faced with similar situations in the future.

3. Motivation

   Motivation is influenced by emotions. Using self-regulation and awareness, you can motivate yourself to do better, reach further and achieve more. 

4. Empathy

   Empathy refers to having a sense of what others are feeling or thinking. Having strong empathetic abilities will enable you to develop deeper connections with colleagues, friends and family. People who lack empathy often make decisions without thinking twice about their impact on others. Developing empathy is a skill every leader needs to be more approachable and make more informed decisions for the whole team. 

5. Social Skills

   Having good social skills is important in any workplace because it is, as you know, a sociable environment! Whether you’re dealing with a team, a partner, a client or a supplier, having good social skills can get you far. It also helps with conflict resolution and building your team up to be more confident workers. 

What are the 5 ways to improve emotional intelligence?

Have a think about which of these areas you may need to work on. Here are some tips to help you improve your emotional intelligence. 

1. Slow down. Think more about each task you are doing, why you are doing it and how it makes you feel. If you have an emotion, write it down. Journals can be helpful if you need to improve your self-awareness and spot certain patterns. 

2. Practice being calm. Keep in mind your end goal at all times and remember that your actions have consequences. Before sending a difficult email, keep it in your drafts for at least 15 minutes and then re-read it. Ask your colleagues for feedback on your demeanour at work and think of ways to better regulate that area of yourself. Keep a planner and make sure you stick to it. 

3. Ask yourself what makes you tick. What excites you? How do you want your life to look? Having end goals can enhance your sense of motivation. Linking your goals to your emotional wellbeing and charting this on paper can be a useful exercise. 

4. Become a body language expert. Noticing body language can give you a much better understanding of what might be going on with a person. If they are closed with crossed arms and tense shoulders, what might they be feeling? And why might they be feeling that? Try to put yourself in their position and remember you are both different - your experience of a situation will differ from theirs.

5. Communication is key when developing social skills. Try to ask more open-ended questions, listen more actively and try to keep conversations productive and positive. Notice your body language and think about how it might be perceived by colleagues or clients. 

Leadership training for emotional intelligence

Leadership training can help enhance many different areas of emotional intelligence. Whether it be your social skills, your impulse control or your ability to read others, we can help. 

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