Am I emotionally intelligent?
What is emotional intelligence and how do you know if you or others possess it?
According to UK stats, 85-87% of success is accounted for by emotional intelligence and we only use them 10% of the time. During our successes (and our opportunities to learn), if we don’t fully understand emotional intelligence, how do we know what we are and are not accessing within us?
When you're emotionally intelligent, you're able to:
Build strong relationships
Communicate effectively
Resolve conflicts
Make sound decisions
Manage stress
All of these skills are essential for creating a great work culture. When employees feel understood and respected, they're more likely to be engaged and productive. They're also more likely to stay with the company long-term.
One of the most important aspects of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. This is the ability to understand your own emotions and how they affect your behavior. When you're self-aware, you can start to manage your emotions in a healthy way.
For example, if you know that you tend to get angry easily, you can start to take steps to calm yourself down when you feel yourself getting triggered. This might involve taking a few deep breaths, going for a walk, or listening to calming music.
Another important aspect of emotional intelligence is empathy. This is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When you're empathetic, you're able to build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively.
For example, if you're able to empathize with a colleague who's going through a tough time, you're more likely to be supportive and understanding. This can make a big difference in their life and help them to feel more connected to the team.
Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed. There are many resources available to help you improve your emotional intelligence, such as books, articles, and online courses.
If you're interested in developing your emotional intelligence, there are a few things you can do:
Pay attention to your emotions
The first step to managing your emotions is to become aware of them. Start by paying attention to how you're feeling throughout the day. What triggers your emotions? How do they affect your behavior?
Talk about your emotions
Once you're aware of your emotions, it's helpful to talk about them with someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or coach. Talking about your emotions can help you to process them and to gain a better understanding of yourself.
Practice empathy
One of the best ways to improve your emotional intelligence is to practice empathy. This means trying to understand and share the feelings of others. You can do this by listening to people's stories, paying attention to their body language, and asking questions.
Take an emotional intelligence course
There are many different emotional intelligence courses available. These courses can teach you the skills you need to improve your emotional intelligence, such as self-awareness, empathy, and communication.
Developing emotional intelligence is a transferable skill that can benefit you both professionally and personally. When you're emotionally intelligent, you're able to build stronger relationships, communicate more effectively, and make sound decisions. You're also more likely to be successful in your career and to have a happier life. To discover more about emotional intelligence and what makes you do the things you do, contact our team of experts here.