If you believe that emotions don’t belong at work, then move on, this article really isn’t for you. 

However, if you already understand that emotions can be managed and harnessed for change and the greater good of any organisation, then I invite you to stick around for a while as I’ve got a few pearls of wisdom that I’d like to share on the subject. 

What exactly does ‘emotional intelligence’ mean? 

A term coined and subsequently adopted by the business community in the 1990s, emotional intelligence is a defined set of personal characteristics that enable employees to succeed. Qualities including perseverance, skill in getting along with others and self-control are all signposts that individuals are better predisposed to working in teams and are more likely to succeed in their chosen career path. 

For some, this intuition comes naturally but other individuals choose to spend time developing these skills as they see the value in better emotional intelligence as the workplace continues to evolve. 

This value isn’t lost on employers either, as employees with higher levels of emotional intelligence are highly sought after due to their in-built ability to adjust to change and be flexible to the needs of the business.

Why does it matter in the workplace?

Any forward-thinking business leader or entrepreneur knows that it takes far more than just on-paper qualifications to create an effective team. 

As new technologies gradually become the norm in our working lives, the role of emotional intelligence becomes even more critical to business success as those that possess this skill are able to correctly identify their own emotions and of those of others that allows for positive social interactions.

Emotional intelligence not only creates a harmonious working environment but can help solve workplace conflict. It can be used to effectively teach others and manage business units, making it an important characteristic to be aware of whether assembling a team for a start-up business or creating a whole new department. 

Therefore, having people on board with high levels of emotional intelligence can help transform any organisation for the better and see entrepreneurs create meaningful change without conflict.

The five pillars of emotional intelligence 

Not only is it important to seek out emotional intelligence skills in people you may be considering adding to your team or SME, but this is something that managers and business leaders need to harness to get the very best out of those that look to them for direction and motivation too. 

Here are the five pillars that make up the emotional intelligence framework. These are specific skills that can be nurtured over time to create an emotionally intelligent workforce:

Self-awareness: Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is key to self-awareness and is usually a good sign that the person is better equipped to take on board feedback and constructive criticism and make positive changes.  Someone with good self-awareness will also understand how their actions and words impact others, making them better team players and good business leaders.

Self-regulation: A key skill to master in stressful situations or high pressure working environments, people with high levels of emotional intelligence can exercise restraint when required and convey their emotions in a time and place that is more fitting for the situation. This stops employees internalising their worries and instead gives them the tools to express their feelings in a controlled and appropriate manner. For executives and entrepreneurs, it means acting strategically and handling difficult situations with assurance, not reacting and then regretting.

Motivation: Those who are emotionally intelligent are not motivated by money or a title alone. Instead, they use their own drive and ambition to continue forging on with the task at hand. Even when they encounter a barrier to success or career knockback, their inner ambition means that they remain optimistic and resilient in the face of disappointment. 

Empathy: One of the most important elements of emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion for others allows individuals to connect with others and offer support that is in line with their needs. This connection on a human level allows for greater understanding and better social connections, making it a must-have skill for anyone in a customer-facing or management role.  

People skills: People skills from an emotional intelligence standpoint is so much more than having plenty of connections. Those who have true people skills are able to nurture trust and build rapport quickly to create long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships that get stronger over the years. They also shy away from gossip, backstabbing and power struggles as they see the destructive nature of these behaviours. 

How can I raise my game to make meaningful change through emotional intelligence? 

You’ve already taken the first step towards making meaningful change simply by reading this article and showing an interest in the benefits it has to offer. Now it’s time to start moving towards meaningful change. 

Firstly, we need to take a long, hard look at ourselves as entrepreneurs and business leaders. Good managers lead by example. If you want to nurture emotional intelligence in your organisation, the change needs to start with you. 

Make sure that you are mindful of the five pillars mentioned above and keep negative emotions in check. Use positivity in your vocabulary wherever possible and be sure to practice empathy when it comes to dealing with your team. 

Over time, these new behaviours will become second nature and your new attitude towards others is bound to get noticed with positive results. It’s at this point you’ll know it’s time to start nurturing emotional intelligence in your own workforce. 

Your business is as unique as you are, creating your own emotional intelligence training is a great way to ensure that any behaviours you wish to create are tailored to your business needs. Don’t be afraid to reach out to me to help you get the ball rolling via my business coaching or executive coaching services. Many of your members of staff will already have a solid foundation to work from whereas others will be completely new to the concept, but by being enthusiastic about how we can all use emotional intelligence in our daily working lives and leading by example, your team are sure to follow the trail you’ve laid and you’ll be able to reap the benefits of an emotionally intelligent workforce.