Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Published on
January 6, 2021
Table of Contents:
Contributors
Phoenix Baker
Product Manager
Lana Steiner
Product Designer
Drew Cano
Frontend Engineer
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Investing in human talent is always a great strategy. Companies and organizations grow and are thriving thanks to the joint work of managers, coordinators, and employees or collaborators in general.

With this series of articles, we aim to contribute to labor welfare, organizational culture, and happiness at work; always starting from the humanization in companies and betting on the personal growth of collaborators and managers so that, like an orchestra, they can generate the most harmonious melodies, because each member has a valuable role in the result.

Speaking of emotional intelligence is essential for us, as it is a general component of the human being and refers to understanding how we can influence our emotions and our interpretation of others' emotional states adaptively and intelligently.

This is not exclusive to life at work; it also responds to an inherent condition of the human being that affects our family, work, social performance, and adaptation strategies to the environment that surrounds us.

What is it about?

It was considered that professional and work success was predetermined by high results in IQ tests, with logic and numerical and verbal reasoning being some predictors of good academic and work performance. However, recently, it has been identified that the skills required to go beyond that, conditions that cannot be assessed by the classic intelligence tests.

This led to rethinking the concept of intelligence and its factors, resulting in theories such as Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Raymond Cattell's theory, and others, which explained the differences between fluid and crystallized intelligence, or the EQ that Daniel Goleman proposed.

Emotions run through our lives.

Undoubtedly, emotions play a significant role; they move us towards many situations, and sometimes they are even the ones that guide the making of important decisions: how to do business, to choose a partner, to close a bond, to leave a job, etc. 

Emotions accompany us daily, we can go through several of them simultaneously, and although sometimes, we want to reject or deny them, they always dwell in us.

Some people have more excellent abilities to regulate or manage their emotions, and in short, the relationship between IQ and emotional intelligence is not very clear. There are even several cases in which people with high performance in intellectual tests have little success in their work, social and emotional life.

Components of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional self-knowledge

Related to the knowledge we have about ourselves, which emotions occupy us, how we react to them and at what moments a decision, for example, should not be made, so as not to be contaminated by an emotional state.

Self-regulation

This component refers to the domain that we have of the emotions; it indicates that we know when an emotion is temporary or passing, and when our emotional situation represents another state. It even makes it possible to take advantage of the emotions in favor, understand that they come and go, and ease many states and disturb others.

Self-motivation

Keeping emotions focused on achieving goals makes it possible not to lose track, even when other options appear on the way that may divert attention, interest, and effort towards achieving the initial objectives.

This component implies not giving enough attention to the obstacles and developing an optimistic attitude, with initiative and proactivity.

Empathy

Recognizing other people's emotions, identifying their needs or emotional situations from the non-verbal language enables higher levels of understanding in socialization, allowing empathic social interactions.

Interpersonal relationships

Relating to others is a component that accompanies our daily lives, and at work, you can't avoid interacting with your colleagues, whether they are your co-workers or your bosses.

Therefore, using verbal intelligence is crucial, starting with attentive listening and expressing thoughts and ideas in the right way so that it promotes communication and does not block the dialogue, affect the work dynamic, or interfere with others' emotional lives.

On the other hand, Emotional Intelligence helps us think about the causes that have triggered others to behave in a way that makes us feel a particular way, instead of starting by thinking about how we feel and from there deciding how we will react to what others say or do.

PRO TIP: Relating to others is easier after you break the ice and see them for what they are. Try one of these 6 little acts that strengthen your bonds with colleagues using DailyBot. 

Why do companies look for people with high emotional intelligence?

In personnel selection processes, it is necessary to identify all the skills required for the position, as well as the skills associated with emotional intelligence; therefore, in several methods, emotional assessments have been incorporated, and even tests are designed that subject the candidate to simulations of situations that put them under pressure, to explore how they manage emotions and what strategies he/she undertakes to solve problems, their creativity, resourcefulness, interpersonal skills, among others.

It is evident then that emotional intelligence is an ability to explore and empower in each of us and that, at a business level, it is worth investing in this domain, because although it is an ability that naturally is in each of us, we can train it, as we exercise our body.

A challenge for today's companies is the selection of people with high emotional intelligence and an excellent curriculum to perform the position; also, do not forget the education and training of each of the people who make up the team in the strengthening of this factor (emotional intelligence), because, from good training, this skill can be enhanced, which can lead the company and its members to success.

Something as valuable as each person managing their emotions, adequate interpersonal relationships, and self-motivation keep the march steadily towards achieving the objectives.






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