Recently we conducted workshop on emotional intelligence and workers at worksite. Whilst counselling workers during same, we found that truly they were unaware of benefits from having good Emotional intelligence in them. Emotional intelligence in the workplace is not just a fad that people are excited about that will go away after a while. There are true benefits to hiring an emotionally intelligent workforce.
1. Emotionally intelligent employees handle pressure better. Just as the workforce of today is different from the workforce of yesteryear, the workplace has also changed. Before, workplaces tended to be more relaxed. The modern workplace looks to be more cutthroat and pressure-filled. With this in mind, hiring managers know that emotionally intelligent employees will be better placed to thrive in an environment of pressure. This is because they are able to manage their emotions even when the going gets tough.
2. Emotionally intelligent employees are better decision makers. Decision-making is an everyday activity in the business world. You need to make decisions about how to solve client problems, which clients to pitch to, which colleagues to include in particular teams, how to format a report for a client, how to manage your workload efficiently, and a myriad of other decisions. The more emotionally intelligent you are, the more capable you are of making good decisions. When you know how to manage your emotions, you are able to make decisions that are not simply emotional. Emotions are good and all, but they don’t usually make for very good catalysts in decision-making.
3. Employees with high EQ handle conflicts better. The workplace is a convergence of many personalities. When different personalities meet in one place, there is a high likelihood of clashing. Colleagues will not always get along. You may have potlucks or staff parties every other weekend and there still will be differences and conflict between the employees. In the face of conflict, you need employees that can resolve their differences with as little drama as possible.
One method of applying EQ to our everyday life is developing the art of assertiveness. Being on planet Earth and surrounded by so many people, we are bound to get into situations that will affect our person. Assertiveness involves possessing high self-esteem and self-confidence. In situations where we feel threatened or where our integrity is questioned, the appropriate reaction is to remain calm. This is achievable when we understand the reason for the other party’s behavior.
Emotion is one of the most important features of human nature. Our emotions help us survive, motivate our behavior, and provide valuable information while interacting with others. Primary emotions are our automatic reactions in a situation, and are commonly associated with facial expressions and physiological responses that are similar across people and cultures. Facial expressions allow for our primary emotions to be expressed without the need for verbal communication. While primary emotions are fundamentally universal, they may vary in intensity and do not always occur in isolation. We may feel angry and fearful when someone cuts us off in traffic, or sadness and disgust when we see injustices in workplace.