4 Questions To Know The Role of Emotional Intelligence
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In today’s world, emotional intelligence has become one of the most sought-after skills in any leader. The ability to understand and connect with your teammates can make a big difference. In fact, studies show that those who work under managers with high emotional intelligence are four times less likely to quit their jobs.
But here’s the kicker: a recent survey of 155,000 leaders revealed that only 22% demonstrated strong emotional intelligence! If you want to be a better leader, you’ll need to understand the role of emotional intelligence in and out of the office. Let’s examine what the role of emotional intelligence is and how you can develop it!
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to perceive your emotions. Someone who understands the role of emotional intelligence can effectively react and adjust accordingly. You know how your emotions work and the reasons they happen. As a result, you also know the right way to handle them. This can make it easier to deal with conflicts in your personal and professional life.
What makes this type of intelligence so special is that it also allows you to see and understand other people’s emotions. With the right approach, you can learn how to help others and motivate them. As a leader, you can give people the boost they need to perform at their best while avoiding burnout. This is why people like to work with those who understand the role of emotional intelligence.
For example, imagine that you’re the coach of a basketball team. It’s the fourth quarter and there are only ten seconds left. Your team is down by 2 points and they’re feeling anxious. As a coach, it’s your job to know the role of emotional intelligence and get them on the same page. With the right push, you can inspire them to give it all they got and secure those points.
What are the attributes of emotional intelligence?
To better understand the role of emotional intelligence, it’s important to know its telltale signs. A person with great EQ carries four distinct attributes that make them so special. Here are the four key characteristics you gain with the role of emotional intelligence.
Self-awareness
Firstly, if you understand the role of emotional intelligence, you’re likely self-aware of your feelings. You can recognize how you feel and how it affects you. You don’t let it consume you, though. Because of your awareness, you know how to react and push yourself forward. You can spot stressful situations and find ways to defuse them safely. You also know when to walk away to avoid being overwhelmed.
Aside from being self-aware of your emotions, you’re also self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses. With the role of emotional intelligence, you can tell if you’re capable to do something or not. Furthermore, you’re not ashamed or upset about what you can’t do. This allows you to be more confident in your actions and decisions, which can make a big difference in your life!
Self-management
If you have high EQ, you’re able to manage your own actions and impulses accordingly. Rather than getting swept by emotion, you have the power to control it. You can safely channel all your feelings, from joy to anger, into healthy and productive reactions. You also learn to adapt to new circumstances, instead of wallowing in fear or shame.
Social awareness
A person who knows the role of emotional intelligence in their own lives can also see its effect on others. With enough EQ, you can understand how people think and feel. You can pick on their emotional cues, their state of mind, and their connection to other people. Even the most subtle hints can give you a good idea of how others operate. This can help you understand your team better and take them to new heights.
Relationship management
With social awareness, you also gain the ability to manage relationships. Because you understand the role of emotional intelligence, you can influence and mediate conflict. You can help team members learn more about one another and establish their roles. Most importantly, you can make meaningful connections with each other. With EQ, you turn a group of people into a cooperative unit.
How can I improve the role of emotional intelligence in my life?
Once you understand the role of emotional intelligence, you may wonder how you can make it more prominent in your life. With all the benefits listed, having good EQ can change your world for the better. To help you unlock the role of emotional intelligence, here are four questions you must ask yourself:
Do I take time to get to know myself?
Emotional intelligence starts with self-awareness. By learning the role of emotional intelligence in your life, you can see how it affects you. It’s important to reflect on occasion and see how well you understand yourself. Remember, those with high EQ know who they are, both good and bad.
To help you build self-awareness, you should start by asking yourself and discovering your answers. This will help you spot the role of emotional intelligence from your own viewpoint. Start with these three questions from a five-minute emotional intelligence test on Inc.com. They were written by Justin Bariso, author of EQ Applied. You can check out the rest by clicking here:
- What are my emotional triggers?
- How does my present mood affect my words and actions?
- How do I act differently when I’m in a great mood? How about when I’m in a lousy mood?
Do I have a balanced view of myself?
Another thing to consider is if you recognize both the positive and negative aspects of your own self. No one is perfect, but some people struggle with accepting their flaws. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has them. You’re not infallible and it’s okay. If you understand what makes you unique, both good and bad, then you can realize the role of emotional intelligence better.
To make it easier, try this exercise: make two lists, with one focusing on your strengths and the other on your weaknesses. Put yourself in a situation that uses the role of emotional intelligence. For example, you can examine how you handle yourself in an argument. Do you confront people and try to make peace? If so, why? With this exercise, you can quickly discover how you behave and why.
Do I show empathy?
As mentioned before, the role of emotional intelligence doesn’t only cover your own self. You also learn how to understand and empathize with other people. However, it’s not just knowledge that shows your EQ; how you react and behave is just as important as what you know. You can tell if someone is sad, but it’s your reaction that makes all the difference.
To show more empathy in life, start by listening. Don’t just hear what people say. Listen carefully and understand what they mean. Active listening can help you discover the role of emotional intelligence in their lives, too. Furthermore, always listen without prior judgment. True empathy is about understanding someone else, not projecting your own feelings. Remember that it’s not always about you or your beliefs. Sometimes, you need to step back and look at things from their eyes.
Do I keep to my commitments?
Lastly, it’s important to understand the power of commitment and dedication. The role of emotional intelligence is not only to perceive emotion but to make it meaningful. When you are faced with a commitment, whether it’s a relationship or a job opportunity, you can’t simply say yes or no. Lots of people nowadays break their promises. When they yes, it could easily mean “perhaps” or “only if convenient”.u
If you understand the role of emotional intelligence, then you know that making a commitment is a serious step. Instead of rushing into an agreement, you’ll quickly look at things carefully. Then, if you are going to commit, you take it to heart. By keeping your promises, no matter how small, you show your trustworthiness. Because of that, a person who knows the role of emotional intelligence is a person you can rely on.
Takeaways:
- Emotional intelligence (EQ) is about understanding your own emotions and those of others, helping you to handle personal and professional conflicts.
- Leaders that know the role of emotional intelligence can motivate their teams effectively, like a basketball coach inspiring a team in a tight game.
- The four attributes of EQ are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
- Self-awareness means understanding your feelings, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Self-management involves controlling emotions and adapting to change, an essential part of the role of emotional intelligence.
- Social awareness allows you to understand others’ feelings and mindsets, helping you see the role of emotional intelligence within yourself and others.
- Relationship management helps you influence and mediate conflict within a team. This can only happen once you understand the role of emotional intelligence.
- Improving your EQ starts with self-awareness: take time to understand yourself, including your emotional triggers and how your mood impacts your behavior.
- EQ also involves having a balanced view of yourself and accepting both your strengths and weaknesses.
- Showing empathy, through active listening and understanding others’ perspectives, is a key aspect of EQ.
- Lastly, keeping your commitments demonstrates reliability, another facet of EQ. Committing only when you’re sure, then keeping those promises, shows trustworthiness.
Like what you’ve seen? If you want to know how to become the best version of yourself, check out Munif Ali on Medium here! I’ll be your trusted companion on the road to personal and professional success. You can also get my FREE ebook by clicking this link. Learn practical tips on money management to become a millennial millionaire today!
- Bariso, J. Accessed on June 16, 2023. Take This 5-Minute Test to See if You Have High Emotional Intelligence. Inc.com.
- Cherry, K. (2023, May 2). Emotional Intelligence: How We Perceive, Evaluate, Express, and Control Emotions. Verywell Mind.
- EU Business School. (2021, November 24). 9 Characteristics of Emotionally Intelligent People.
- MasterClass. (2022, October 25). How to Show Empathy: 4 Techniques to Practice Empathizing.
- May, E. (2023, April 18). The Statistics on Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace. Niagara Institute.
- Segal, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Shubin, J. (2023, February 28). Improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ). HelpGuide.org.
- Thompson, M., III. (2023, March 8). How to Identify Your Strengths And Weaknesses in 5 Steps. Lifehack.
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