“Emotional Intelligence is the ability to sense, understand, value and effectively apply the power of emotions as a source of human energy, information, trust, creativity, and influence.” – Daniel Goleman Ph.D.
How good we are in dealing with our emotions has direct influence on how we handle ourselves and our relationships. The simplest way to describe Emotional Intelligence is; it’s the capability to recognise, evaluate, and manage your own emotions—and the emotions of people around you. It enables us to analyse and think more creatively and to engage our emotions to resolve different problems.
Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in every key aspect associated with the well-being and welfare of the workplace—especially where individuals tend to work together, be it leadership, solving conflicts, effective and efficient teamwork, or individual performance and motivation.
According to a study, individuals with high levels of Emotional Intelligence are more productive and effective in their workplace and everyday life. So, Emotional Intelligence can improve the performance of each employee and consequently the company as a whole.
Emotional Intelligence is directly linked with relationships, and relationships play an essential role in the success of every business. This doesn’t just include the relationships an organisation maintains with its clients and suppliers. Internal relationships—the ones that we have with our team members and colleagues—are immensely significant as well.
Here are five ways Emotional Intelligence can play a cardinal role in attaining workplace success:
1. Emotional Intelligence promotes self-motivation
Individuals with high levels of Emotional Intelligence are also self-motivated, furthering workplace success. However, the primary driving force behind their motivation is not some title or money. The main driving force behind Emotionally Intelligent people is their intrinsic motivation. A sense of ambition is what drives them.
As a consequence, such individuals possess a self-drive to achieve and improve, readiness to act on opportunities, a commitment to personal and organisational goals, and the capability to stay positive and keep on going in the face of setbacks.
2. Emotional Intelligence increases self-awareness
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of Emotional Intelligence and is also influential in our personal and organisational growth and evolution. Studies have found that employees with high Emotional Intelligence tend to be much more self-aware. From the perspective of the workplace, this refers to employees who are fully aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
They also understand and realise how their actions can affect other colleagues. Self-aware employees do not let their performance be affected by their resentment or grievance. They take feedback and criticism positively and are always ready to learn from their mistakes.
3. Emotional intelligence boosts positivity
A high level of Emotional Intelligence in employees empowers positivity and cripples negativity. Employees with a positive attitude don’t hide from arduous endeavours and consider failure as a learning opportunity.
“A positive attitude enables employees to be more creative, resourceful, flexible, and open-minded. It enables employees to focus better on their task and undo those negative emotions. A positive mindset enables employees to take more interest in their work and do better.” – Daniel Goleman
4. Emotional Intelligence is tied to empathy
Employees who possess high levels of Emotional Intelligence are more empathetic.
Empathy among employees leads to stronger relationships, mutual respect, trust, and openness. It enables employees to have a better understanding of their colleagues’ situations and act accordingly. Empathy enables employees to operate better as a team, connect with their colleagues on an emotional level, and genuinely work together to achieve their common organisational goals.
5. Emotional Intelligence makes dealing with change easier
The workplace success of an individual or an organisation rests on its ability to adapt and adjust to change. Individuals with high levels of Emotional Intelligence don’t run away in the face of change—they typically embrace it. They understand and accept that change is the only constant in life.
Emotionally intelligent leaders act as a change catalyst in commencing and facilitating change in their organisation. They’re also able to efficiently handle the psychological challenges associated with change. They’re able to manage several diverse demands from their stakeholders and shift priorities with ease.
