As more research illustrates that emotional intelligence in the workplace improves an employee’s level of productivity, job performance, and satisfaction with their work, it becomes a more coveted skill within the workplace.

Emotional intelligence is once you can understand the emotions of yourself and other individuals and manage your own feelings well. It demonstrates a balance between intellect and being aware of oneself.

Emotional intelligence is an asset. That may be because emotional intelligence reflects a capability to form better decisions, problem solving skills, and being an excellent communicator.

People who are higher in their emotional intellect can develop and work with solutions from a holistic point of view.

Emotional intelligence is rated in four categories:

1. Self-management. You are possessing the ability to think clearly in situations where you may be feeling stressed, anxious, or angry. Self-management indicates having the ability to separate yourself and the way you ought to act from your emotions.
2. Self-awareness. Self-awareness helps your ability to alter negative habits, thoughts, or behavior. When you have a high level of self-awareness, you’ll be able to recognize how your beliefs and emotions affect your thoughts and behavior.
3. Social awareness. Social awareness is your ability to “read your environment.” You’ll be able to understand what others desire to feel comfortable, furthermore as see social dynamics at play. Social awareness indicates how well you catch on to social cues or needs.
4. Relationship management. People who exude high emotional intelligence will be able to manage stressful situations with more balance, work as a team more fluidly, and develop positive relationships overall. Relational management indicates good interpersonal skills.

Are you inquisitive about improving your emotional awareness to enhance your communication skills at work?

Follow these tips to build emotional intelligence:

1. Practice self-awareness. Self-awareness reflects your ability to appear at yourself objectively. To develop this:
   • Practice self-reflection in a journal daily
   • Notice once you react to something on autopilot.
   • Think about feedback you receive.
   • Take an opportunity to view a situation from another lens, not just your own viewpoint.
2.  Receive criticism with grace. Think before you react to criticism. Use criticism as a chance to expand and grow.
3. See conflict as a chance to find out and understand more about others. Conflict can be frustrating, but it’s inevitable. Instead of avoiding it, take conflict as a chance to grasp where another person is coming from.
4. Learn to “read the space.” How well does one conceptualize the cues on the emotions of individuals around you? Do you know who to travel to once you need a solution? What rules that are understood although not stated do people follow at your workplace? Being able to read your environment can position you as the go to person or change maker at your organization.
5. Listen to others. People who demonstrate a higher level of emotional intelligence are great with active listening. Do you tend to take the reins in conversations or sit back and be a fly on the wall at work? Try to actively engage and practice your active listening skills with your co-workers in meetings.
6. Speak up and express yourself. In addition to great listening skills, emotionally intelligent people are great at utilizing their voice at the right times with impactful, yet mindfully attentive. Don’t be afraid to pitch your out-of-the-box ideas or confirm your opinions get heard!
7. Work to people’s strengths. People work differently and have different strengths. Be flexible to a variety sort of amongst your team. Create an environment for every person to thrive and be engaged and innovative.

People with higher emotional intelligence can be more efficient time managing their stress levels, building better relationships, and reading their environment. Prowess managing your own stress levels means you’ll be able to calmly lead a team through high-stress situations. And having the ability to read the space can assist you know the proper person to approach once you ’re tackling a drag or take action when you notice a colleague feeling stressed.

Being able to hone in and develop emotional intelligence will pay dividends for you in your workspace and in your personal life as well. Wouldn’t life be great with effortless stress management, better relationships, and having the capability to “read the room”?