Applying Emotional Intelligence in Your Workplace

People are often promoted initially because they are good at the job that they are do, but that doesn’t necessarily make them good at managing other people.

What is the difference in people who truly become leaders and those who simply manage? Emotional intelligence is a big part of it. This is the quality that makes it easy for you to connect with, inspire, and motivate people. Developing your emotional intelligence is crucial for your success in the business world.

Blending Expertise and EI

The key to succeeding is not to set aside the abilities that got you in the position in the first place but to develop your listening, communication, and empathetic skills alongside those abilities. An emotionally intelligent fleet manager who oversees looking into switching to an electric fleet would talk to the drivers about what this change would mean to them and get them on board with the change, addressing any concerns they have about how it might change up their routine or duties.

At the same time, they should still do due diligence. This would involve reviewing a complete guide to electric car charger costs for fleets and learning more about things such as installing EV chargers, charging costs, and networks. Electricity prices are more stable than gas. You can lend the skills that got you in the job in the first place with your EI skills.

Qualities

There are certain qualities that you need to have to cultivate EI. Before you can relate well to others, you need to relate well to yourself. That might sound a little bit vague and like something that belongs more in a therapist’s office than a business office, but there is a concrete way to approach this.

Do a self-evaluation, and then compare it to peer reviews, supervisor reviews and the reviews of those who work for you. You may see this described as 360-degree feedback. If there is a big discrepancy, this is a sign that you aren’t coming across in the way that you think you are and may be lacking in self-awareness.

You also need to have good emotional regulation. Someone who flies off the handle when a direct report delivers bad news is not a person with strong EI skills. Do you find that people often say things to you like read the room? This could indicate that you need to learn how to deal with stress and/or that you’re lacking in good social awareness skills. These are also necessary. Putting all this together can help you develop into someone who can motivate, resolve conflict, and mentor.

Skill Development

How do you develop the necessary skills? There are several different avenues. Ask for honest, constructive feedback, and genuinely take it in. Pay attention to your own emotions and identify what you are feeling at different times.

Even reading or watching TV or movies can help you develop emotional intelligence as you put yourself into the perspective of others and ask yourself why they are behaving the way they are.

Teaching yourself to pause and consider before you react and trying to see an issue from the other person’s point of view, even if you disagree, can build your EI.

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