7 Ways to Use Emotional Intelligence at Work
It is impossible to imagine a world devoid of all understanding of emotions. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your emotions and those of others and control your emotional responses. It is an indispensable but often underrated aspect of prosocial behavior. Studies have shown that emotional intelligence at work can help people establish trust, resolve conflicts, and increase productivity. So, here are some ways in which you can leverage emotional intelligence in the workplace:
Being a good listener
Educator and businessman Stephen Covey once said: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Listening is indeed a life skill, and listening with a genuine aim to understand the situation objectively can help enhance your interactions and interpersonal relationships. Employees could make a conscious effort to understand the perspectives of their peers and managers during meetings and one-on-one conversations. If listening for a long period seems challenging, you could jot down important points on a notepad to avoid getting distracted.
Using the right nonverbal gestures
The most important and interesting aspect of communication is that it need not always involve words. Nonverbal communication, including nodding, leaning slightly toward the speaker, eye contact, facial expressions, and posture, goes a long way in reflecting your involvement in the discussion. Such gestures also indicate your inclination toward understanding the subject during formal meetings and even informal conversations at work. Today, even online meeting platforms allow attendees to react with emoticons, an effective strategy to convey your involvement without using words.
Using empathy over sympathy
Sympathy refers to a theoretical understanding of the other person’s situation, whereas empathy implies putting yourself in others’ shoes and viewing the matter from their perspective. Empathetic problem-solving, as opposed to a sympathetic approach, can help you come up with better, mutually beneficial suggestions at work.
Letting yourself be vulnerable
Vulnerability is an integral aspect of being your true self, which applies even in the workplace. Being vulnerable involves acknowledging your weaknesses alongside your strengths and allowing others to know what your areas of improvement are. Vulnerability at work enables other employees to offer timely help and facilitate your professional development. It helps you and your colleagues establish a better working association and healthier work environment.
Being sensitive toward mental health
Mental well-being is a prerequisite for professional satisfaction; consequently, several mental health issues are associated with an unfavorable work environment. While at work, it helps a great deal to be vigilant about your colleagues’ mental states, which can be gauged through their body language, facial expressions, and general behavior at work. Staying attuned to your co-workers’ issues and supporting them in their personal and professional endeavors can pave the way for a sensitive workplace.
Offering and accepting constructive feedback
Being attuned to a person’s areas of improvement and providing constructive feedback can help them in their professional journeys. The sandwich technique of feedback, which involves acknowledging others’ positive qualities, then highlighting their areas of improvement, and concluding with some positive feedback, can ensure equal emphasis on positive and negative areas. Additionally, being open to constructive criticism can help you improve.
Being assertive, not aggressive
Finally, it is imperative to differentiate assertiveness from aggression. It is not uncommon for conflicts to arise at the workplace, particularly stemming from differences of opinion. However, assertive employees firmly stand by their beliefs and perceptions while not disregarding the opinions of others or reacting harshly. In contrast, aggression involves reacting strongly and not maintaining workplace decorum. Assertive behavior can help employees solve their problems while being sensitive to others’ emotions and needs.
As everyone deals with their own set of professional and personal challenges, emotional intelligence at work is a key component in establishing a comfortable workspace. Empathy, attention, and sensitivity are the most effective tools to establish emotional intelligence.