Emotional intelligence can enrich decisions and interactions with colleagues.
- Beyond technical skills, knowing how to navigate the spectrum of emotions can prove to be a major asset in the professional environment.
- Knowing how to self-evaluate helps identify the emotions felt in the face of challenges or stress and therefore adopt strategies to maintain balance.
- Emotional intelligence also involves a capacity for empathy to understand and connect with the emotions of colleagues, which is particularly useful for improving communication and strengthening relationships within the team.
Emotional intelligence is a crucial skill in the professional environment that allows you to better manage relationships and daily challenges. Beyond technical skills, knowing how to navigate the spectrum of emotions can be a major asset.
Recognize and manage your own emotions
Understanding your own emotions allows you to react appropriately in different professional situations. Knowing how to self-evaluate helps identify the emotions felt in the face of challenges or stress and therefore adopt strategies to maintain balance.
For example, when faced with negative feedback from a colleague, instead of responding with anger, using your emotional intelligence allows you to understand the criticism and respond to it constructively. An example might be: “I understand your point of view, but could you give me specific examples so I can improve my work in the future?”
Develop empathy and understanding of others
Emotional intelligence also involves a capacity for empathy to understand and connect with the emotions of colleagues. This skill is particularly useful for improving communication and strengthening relationships within the team.
Practicing active listening and showing interest in the perspectives of others can create a more harmonious and collaborative work environment. This may involve, for example, taking the time to rephrase colleagues’ arguments during a tense discussion to help ease tensions and encourage open and constructive dialogue.
Use your emotional intelligence to strengthen decision-making
Being able to use your emotional intelligence also means being able to motivate your team, manage conflicts effectively and make balanced decisions. Understanding each person’s emotional dynamics can positively influence the team climate and guide actions towards common objectives.
To do this, you can use your emotional intelligence to recognize times when you are not best qualified or to admit a mistake, thereby showing an emotional maturity that inspires trust and respect. This could involve, for example, discussing solutions together without blaming any one person.
Learn more: “Emotional Intelligence” by Ryan JD Goleman.
