Why Workplace Behaviors of Emotional and Social Intelligence Matters?

Possessing a high level of emotional and social intelligence (EQ) is beneficial in the workplace. In this post, you will learn what is EQ, active empathy, productive workplace behaviors, how EQ strengthens relationships, the challenge related to none of us are emotionally intelligent all the time.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your emotions productively. It consists of self-awareness, awareness of others, self-management, and relationship management. It is a set of skills and behaviors that guide us to respond to environmental demands, stressors, and emotions intelligently and to effectively make decisions while productively interacting with others. You can think about emotional intelligence as active empathy by showing you have acknowledged and understood the situation, needs or values of another person.

What is Active Empathy?

Empathy involves perspective taking by accurately trying to see and understand the world through the eyes of another human being. You try to imagine putting yourself in other people’s shoes. It is not only cognitively trying to understand empathically someone’s point of view, but emotionally connecting or relating to it as well. Active empathy is about the observing the interconnectedness between us. I observe this person has beliefs, opinions, perspectives, thoughts, and feelings, “just like me”. When we actively listen to others, it gives us a foundation to empathize. 

What are Productive Workplace Behaviors of Emotional Intelligence?

• Being in the moment, present, mindful, and self-aware.
• Possessing awareness and sensitivity of others while being empathic.
• Taking stance that is sincere, genuine, and authentic.
• Ability to bounce back from challenges and demonstrating perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Fostering and influencing a culture of empowerment and positivity.
• Being in the moment, present, mindful, and self-aware.
• Possessing awareness and sensitivity of others while being empathic.
• Taking stance that is sincere, genuine, and authentic.
• Ability to bounce back from challenges and demonstrating perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Fostering and influencing a culture of empowerment and positivity.

How Emotional Intelligence Strengthens Relationships?

Emotional intelligence helps us cultivate relationships with others. Our level of emotional intelligence influences our overall well-being, effects longevity, the quality of our relationships and connectedness. It also impacts the quality of our workplace performance, influence of others, and success. Positive emotions inform and influence productive decisions, behaviors, and performance; whereas negative emotions, at times, inform and influence unproductive decisions, behaviors, and performance.

The Challenge!

None of us are emotionally intelligent all the time. We may have an overdeveloped area of emotional intelligence and underdeveloped area of emotional intelligence in other capacities that may require strengthening. The good news is that we can strengthen these workplace behaviors.

What is Social Intelligence?

Social intelligence is a set of skills and behaviors that guide us to respond productively in relationships to others. It teaches us to be aware of and understand our thoughts and feelings, as well as sense the feelings of those surrounding me. We are socially aware of others by listening and observing and noticing social signaling, non- verbal communication and body language. We listen to other’s tone of voice, communication style and intuitively respond to my gut reactions (wisdom). When we feel safe, experience trust and mutual respect, it increases our interpersonal effectiveness and often makes us more curious, approachable, sociable, and receptive.

Questions & Reflections:

Can you notice and name emotions?

Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses?

Can you empathize with others?

Are you able to resolve misunderstandings or tend to avoid conflict?

Are you present in relationships or disconnected?

Are you empathic or insensitive?

Are you genuine or untrustworthy?

Are you resilient or temperamental?

Do you have a positive or negative influence on others?

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