Think about It: Emotional Intelligence Can Make Your Work Better

What does emotional intelligence (EI) even mean? It’s an important soft skill that can improve your work significantly.

A TalentSmart study found that, on average, people with high emotional intelligence earn $29,000 more per year than those with low EI. Yes, you heard that right. Emotional intelligence is crucial for workers, and today we’ll explore why.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI), a.k.a. emotional quotient (EQ), is the ability to understand, use, and manage emotions. People are emotionally intelligent when they can navigate conflicts easily and avoid reaching the boiling point.

Why “Intelligence”?

Emotions are often seen as illogical, but they actually carry a lot of information. Everything in our world, including emotions, consists of data, which not many people can “read” and use.

Despite the old beliefs, emotions don’t arise out of thin air and behave illogically — they follow specific patterns. They appear, change, and fade over time; they can even be transmitted from one person to another. Understanding these patterns helps us predict emotions in ourselves and others.

Even though it’s not as precise as maths, emotional patterns are clearer than we often think.

Emotions and Decision-Making

People often say that decisions are based purely on logic, and emotions can interfere with making the “right” choices. Phrases like “Let’s not get emotional” or “In the heat of the moment” reflect this belief. However, research shows that decision-making without emotions is impossible.

In his book “Descartes’ Error,” neurologist Antonio Damasio explores the crucial role of emotions in decision-making. He examined patients with brain damage, including one named Elliot, who lost the ability to make decisions due to damage to the emotional part of his brain. Despite retaining his logic and IQ, Elliot simply couldn’t commit to deciding, highlighting that emotions are important for this process.

Another example is Daniel Kahneman. In 2002 he received the Nobel Prize in Economics for demonstrating how people make decisions, particularly in situations of uncertainty, which can be seen in the phenomenon of loss aversion.

This doesn’t mean emotions alone drive our decisions; intelligence and logic are still important. But, acknowledging and integrating emotions can lead to better choices.

Five Components of Emotional Intelligence at Work

In the ‘90s, psychologist Daniel Goleman identified five key components of emotional intelligence that allow people to recognize, connect with, and learn from their and others’ mental states.

Here’s a look at those components and examples of how they apply at work:

1. Self-awareness. People with high EI can recognize emotions and what triggers them. This helps you see how others might perceive you. For example, you can use self-awareness to understand how coworkers, clients, or managers feel about you.
   
2. Self-regulation. This is the ability to control and adjust your emotions to create a better work environment and show you in a positive light. For instance, managing your emotions can help you stay professional in front of clients.
   
3. Motivation. When you have strong emotions about your work, it sparks a desire to do it. For example, your motivation to complete a project shows employers how passionate you are, which can help you get promoted.
   
4. Empathy. EI isn’t only about recognizing your, but also other’s emotions. Understanding your coworker’s feelings helps you handle situations better. For instance, if a coworker looks upset, reacting with empathy can prevent conflicts.
   
5. Social skills. Strong social skills, like effective communication and respect, help you listen, speak, and resolve conflicts. These skills are essential for career development and leadership.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Important in the Workplace

Emotional intelligence is important at work — it helps build a healthy relationship among all coworkers. The high-EI teams are more supportive, happier, and efficient at the work they’re doing together.

Here are a few reasons why you might consider improving your EI at work:

• Understanding nonverbal cues: You can see and address issues before they become bigger by sensing your coworker’s feelings. For example, when a coworker is upset, you can offer help.
  
• Control of your feelings: Adjust your behavior before it affects clients or coworkers. If you had a rough night, focus on positive feelings the next day to be less grumpy.
  
• Increased job performance: Motivation and self-awareness help you make decisions faster and complete tasks more efficiently.
  
• Career growth: Emotional intelligence and leadership skills go hand in hand. Displaying patience, active listening, and empathy can lead to promotions or raises.
  
• Encouragement of others: Your positive emotions can inspire your team to develop strong interpersonal skills and work better together.

How to Improve Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

A positive work environment won’t be achieved without EI. Efficient teamwork is built on understanding and reliance, which doesn’t come naturally and needs training.

If you want your teamwork to be more efficient, here are 5 steps you can take:

1. Identify your weaknesses: If you want to communicate better, understand your emotional weaknesses. For example, you might be good at understanding verbal cues but not non-verbal ones.
   
2. Review your emotional intelligence history: Look at your past communications to see how you handled situations. Ask yourself what you did right and wrong. This reflection helps you improve future interactions.
   
3. Receive feedback: Ask for honest feedback to understand how coworkers and bosses view your work and communication skills. Listen to their opinions and note both your strengths and improvement areas. This will give you a clear idea of what to work on.
   
4. Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Mentors and HR specialists can provide tips on improving your soft skills as it’ll positively impact your performance. Also, try to attend training seminars or team activities.
   
5. Practice daily: Learn about EI and apply this knowledge to your real life. Talk to different people and practice assessing your body language and facial expressions.

At Apliteni, we work hard to create a positive work environment, providing constructive feedback and help for our colleagues. If you want to join us, check out the available positions on our website:

Now you can grow your emotional intelligence and enhance your work life. Stay tuned for future articles with helpful tips on improving your hard and soft skills.