How to be a Better Leader in the Workplace: Utilize Emotional Intelligence
By: Abby Kiesner, Marketing Associate— Published: April 12, 2019
Emotional Intelligence is a hidden gem for the workplace. Leaders are starting to realize how being self-aware and aware of others’ emotions aids in improving workplace relationships, communication, and increases overall motivation. The ability to read ourselves, others, and situations play major keys in creating a healthy, happy, and motivated workplace environment.
What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)?
Do you know someone who is able to remain cool, calm, and collective, even in life’s most stressful situations? The odds are in favor of that person possessing a skill called Emotional Intelligence.
The concept of Emotional Intelligence has been around since 1990. Drs. Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves define emotional intelligence as, “Your ability to recognize and understand emotions, and your skill at using this awareness to manage yourself and your relationships with others.” In 1995, Daniel Goleman introduced the Mixed Model, covering the five main areas of EI:
Self-awareness (understanding your own feelings).
Self-regulation (staying in control and making rational decisions).
Motivation (working towards a goal).
Empathy (putting yourself in someone else’s shoes).
Social skills (open communication and focus on sending the right messages).
Why is EI Important?
Emotional Intelligence is a resourceful tool that helps form better relationships with coworkers and increases overall productivity.
It allows leaders to get to know their employees better and understand where they are coming from.
EI helps resolve/prevent unnecessary conflict (being able to listen and comprehend others’ emotions aids in responding appropriately to the situation.)
Increases overall workplace motivation.
Drives employees as well as leadership performance.
Why do people with average IQs outperform those with the highest IQs 70% of the time? It all comes down to emotional intelligence. And unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is a choice and a discipline, not an innate quality bestowed upon the lucky.
How you can Improve your EI to Become a Better Leader:
Improve your own social socials. Use active listening. Take a minute to let go of your own train of thought. Do not think about how you are going to respond to what the other person is saying; instead, just listen to what they are actually saying. Reiterate what you believe you heard in order to clarify any confusion/misunderstanding of what the other person is trying to say. This also shows the other person that you value and care about what they have to say.
“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Use nonverbal cues like a simple head nod or smile to show the other person that you are not only hearing what they have to say but also understanding it as well. Hold eye contact with them to show you are paying attention to them. Making the effort to get to know your coworkers better helps improve your relationships with them as well.
Think about the message you are trying to send to someone and make sure it is as clear as possible to avoid miscommunication. Take into consideration others’ feelings/emotions your future actions may possess. Thinking through your decisions will help you come to a more rational decision.
Evaluate the entire situation and the person’s facial gestures and nonverbal cues (eyes, posture, etc.). Figure out the appropriate response to their body language. Put yourself in their shoes and take into consideration how the other person may be feeling.
Increase your own self-awareness:
Know your strengths and weaknesses, and be honest with yourself about them. Utilize your strengths and work on improving your weaknesses. Take a minute for yourself to understand what emotions you’re feeling.
Journal about your thoughts and feelings.
Look at the whole picture and evaluate what causes you to feel a certain way and why.
Use Conflict Resolution- Praise others for a job well done, but also offer constructive criticism when needed. This helps deescalate tense environments while also making the necessary changes. Remain mindful of how your words may come across to them to avoid additional potential conflicts.
Look at the positives in every situation and note those that need improvement.
Lead by example- Take responsibility for your actions and be open about them. It’s important to practice humility- no, it is not a sign of weakness. This helps open the door to more meaningful management-employee relationships while also increasing the productivity level.
Pay attention to your employee's strengths. Then utilize those strengths; it is mutually beneficial to the leader and the employee.
Dr. Annie McKee, academic, speaker and bestselling author talks about her leadership, emotional intelligence, and her new book "How to Be Happy at Work: The Power of Purpose, Hope, and Friendship" and her HBR article "Being Happy at Work Matters"
Emotional Intelligence is an essential tool for leaders to create a productive, satisfied, and healthy workplace environment. Increasing emotional intelligence makes for a stronger work culture and cohesiveness. Practicing Emotional Intelligence will make you a better leader by reducing stress, avoid unnecessary conflicts, strengthen workplace relationships and improving the organization as a whole.
Key Takeaways:
Focus on improving the five main areas of EI: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social skills.
If you want to be a better and more effective leader, take time to practice using the tools above to improve your emotional intelligence.
Evaluate and understand your own emotions and actions before you begin to evaluate others’.
Emotional Intelligence is one of the most important tools for strengthening and developing trusting relationships within the workplace. It carries positive, powerful results in performance and personal excellence.
Curious to find out how emotionally intelligent you are? Take the quiz below to find out where you fall and learn how you can improve your EI further as a leader.