On this Fab Friday, we’re highlighting why emotional intelligence is important and how to be more aware of it.
Author and career coach Christopher Connors defines Emotional Intelligence (EQ for short) as, “the ability to: recognize, understand and manage our own emotions. Recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others. In practical terms, this means being aware that emotions can drive our behavior and impact people (positively and negatively), and learning how to manage those emotions.”
Having a high level of emotional intelligence allows you to interact with others in more effective ways. Some people might be more naturally inclined to have a high level of EQ, however, it is a skill that can be grown and developed with intention. Here is an article describing 10 ways to work on this.
In summary, practice…
- Empathy – the ability to understand what others think or feel.
- Self-Awareness – the art of understanding how you see yourself and how you think others perceive you.
- Curiosity – a passion to learn and grow.
- Analyzing – deep-thinking to process information and problem solve.
- Belief – faith in yourself in the present and the future.
- Needs and Wants – knowing the difference between what you need and what you want. What are more trivial things? What are things that support your goals and aspirations?
- Passion – the motivation and ambition for an idea, a goal, people, etc.
- Optimism – directing your attitude to a positive and happy outlook.
- Adaptability – know when to continue your course and when to change it.
- A Desire for Success – not just for yourself, but a strong desire to see others succeed.
To grow your EQ, start by choosing two or three of these ideas. Write them down. Begin each day focusing on the actions you can take and what you can practice to reach your goals. Finish the day thinking about what you did to make this a habit. Do this regularly and you will increase your emotional intelligence and see how it positively affects your career and life.
What do you do to increase your awareness and be more emotionally intelligent in the workplace? Let us know!