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Mastering the Art of Emotional Intelligence at Work: 7 Insider Tips

January 29, 2025

5 min read

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Author : Linu Sebastian
Mastering the Art of Emotional Intelligence at Work: 7 Insider Tips

Introduction

Intelligence is a confusing term and most of the people connect that with academics and intelligence quotient of individuals. if you perform well in school then you are considered as intelligent. but that is not the right way to define intelligence. Intelligence is generally considered as the ability to adapt to a new environment and the adaptation depends upon a number of cognitive processes.

Emotional Intelligence

According to Goleman, emotional intelligence is a person’s ability to manage their feelings so that those feelings are expressed appropriately and effectively. 

Domains of Emotional Intelligence

His model is built on four “domains of emotional intelligence” (Goleman, Boyatzis, & McGee, 2002). They are:

  • Self-awareness: perception and accurate understanding of one’s own emotional states
  • Self management: emotional self-control, effective intrapersonal reactions to feelings
  • Social awareness: awareness of relationship surroundings, empathy, understanding of the emotions of others, understanding how organizations work
  • Relationship management: working effectively in the social arena, accomplishing goals with and through others, and collaborating with teams and organizations.

Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, is the ability to perceive, interpret, and evaluate the emotions of others. As per expert advice, emotional intelligence is more important than IQ for success in life. It is also important to identify whether a person is emotionally intelligent or not and, if not, how to improve it. Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and describe emotions, be empathetic, and show concern for others. Suppose a person is able to take responsibility for the mistakes he or she made and let go of others’ mistakes by understanding their situation. In that case, that is a sign of an emotionally intelligent individual. Everybody will have a difficult situation in their lives, and if a person is capable of managing their stress and emotions during this phase, then that is an emotionally intelligent person.

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

  1. Adaptability: In the rapidly evolving and dynamic landscape of modern workplaces, technical skills and intellectual prowess alone no longer suffice to guarantee success. 
  2. Importance of emotional intelligence (EI): The increasing complexity of interpersonal interactions, coupled with the growing emphasis on collaboration and team dynamics, has underscored the importance of emotional intelligence (EI) as a critical competency.
  3. Emotional Intelligence in Hiring: As more and more people accept that emotional intelligence is just as important to professional success as technical ability, organizations are increasingly using it when they hire and promote employees. 
  4. Soft-skill enhancement: Emotional intelligence is a perfect vehicle for the smuggling of more interpersonal and intrapersonal skills into the workplace. It can legitimize important so-called “soft-skill” training and coaching. 
  5. Versatility of EI: EI can be an ideal package for the transmission of crucial but undervalued enhancements. Consultants can use EI as an umbrella to offer a wide range of topics. These soft or interpersonal skills can be of enormous value when working with clients who lack solid social skills.
  6. Utilization of emotional intelligence:  Emotional intelligence and some of the EI measures could potentially be used to match people with tasks and environments.
  7. Development or Placement: Suppose an executive has weak interpersonal or emotional skills. In that case, there are two options: improve the skills or place that person in a work environment conducive to his or her skill-set and personality.

Emotional Intelligence Training for Employees

Training Programs: Providing training programs which helps employees to understand and manage stress. These programs can be done through workshops, seminars, and online courses.

Mindfulness practices:  Comprising mindfulness and meditation practices can strengthen self-awareness and self-regulation. These practices help employees stay present, manage stress, and improve focus.

Role-playing/guided imagery Scenarios: Engaging in role-playing exercises can prepare employees to handle emotional situations effectively. By imitating real-life scenarios, employees can practice responses and develop confidence in managing emotions.

Provide Support: Offering resources such as counseling and stress management workshops shows a commitment to employee well-being and development.

Promote a Positive Work Culture: Cultivating a culture of respect, empathy, and open communication within the workplace encourages employees to develop and utilize their emotional intelligence.

Lead by Example: Leaders and managers should model emotional intelligence in their interactions, demonstrating the importance of EI through their behavior and decisions.

Recognize and Reward: Acknowledging and rewarding employees who demonstrate high EI reinforces its value and encourages others to develop their emotional skills.

The Importance of  Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Adaptability and flexibility:  it helps them to remain calm under stressful situations and will know how to manage stress and emotions.

Conflict resolution: Emotionally intelligent people will be good in handling conflicts and they will be able direct the conversations into healthy ones which makes the resolutions satisfactory.

Customer Relations: In job roles that require customer interaction emotional intelligence is very crucial. It helps in understanding customer needs and emotions, leading to improved customer service and stronger customer relationships. 

Improved teamwork: Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in teamwork and it will help in the communication within the team.

Enhanced communication: Individuals with high emotional intelligence can communicate easily and effectively with others. They can better understand others’ emotions and perspectives, and this will secure their interpersonal relationships. This reduces misunderstandings and conflicts, leading to a peaceful work environment.

Conclusion

Emotional intelligence is a cornerstone of modern workplace success. Its impact on communication, leadership, teamwork, and overall job satisfaction is profound. By fostering emotional intelligence through training, feedback, mindfulness, and supportive practices, organizations can create a thriving, resilient, and productive work environment. As the workplace continues to evolve, the importance of emotional intelligence will only grow, making it an indispensable asset for individuals and organizations alike.

References

Goleman, D. (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence. https://stephanehaefliger.com/campus/biblio/017/17_39.pdf

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Author : Linu Sebastian

Linu Sebastian works as a Counselling Psychologist in Bengaluru.

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