How To Effectively Use Emotional Intelligence at Work

Emotional intelligence isn’t just some buzzword industry leaders and scientists are throwing around, but it is critical to all interpersonal relationships, including those at work. Emotional quotients (EQ) or emotional intelligence refers to a person’s ability to perceive, manage, and understand their emotions.

So while you might not have considered that being in tune with your feelings was a job requirement, studies show that people with higher levels of emotional intelligence experience more career success, stronger personal relationships, among other benefits. Emotional intelligence affects our job performance and careers whether we realize it or not, so it’s essential to understand how to use EQ to our advantage.

Here’s a closer look at what emotional intelligence is and how to utilize it at work:

What is emotional intelligence, and how does it affect the workplace?

You know that emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your emotions, but why is this crucial in the workplace? For a while, we’ve operated under the basis that you leave your feelings at the door at work, but the truth is, emotions run rampant even in the office.

We are emotional beings, and we can’t turn that switch on and off. Every day at work, we make emotionally charged decisions, and things happen that trigger emotional reactions. Incorporating emotional intelligence at work can help us be more understanding at work and solve problems under pressure.

People with high EQ stay calm under pressure, take constructive criticism with grace, solve problems and make decisions well. You can see why employers prefer emotionally intelligent employees, so let’s discuss how you can use emotional intelligence at work.

What are effective ways to use emotional intelligence at work?

Here are a few ways you can start to utilize emotional intelligence in your workplace immediately:

1. Pay attention to your emotions. Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. Note how your emotions may affect your communication or decision-making processes at work, and keep that in mind.

2. Find healthy ways to release work stress. Regulate your mood by ensuring you have go-to ways to help you distress and keep your cool. Physical activity is always a good option for stress release.

3. Practice empathy. People with high EQ can take a step back and put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Having empathy will help you better understand and communicate with coworkers.

4. Actively listen to others. Work on your social skills by actively listening to what others have to say—your willingness to hear other opinions shows that you care about teamwork.

Final thoughts

Emotional intelligence plays a huge role in the workplace, whether we are aware of it or not. We can use emotional intelligence to work better with our peers and contribute to a collaborative, healthy workplace. If you’ve read this and feel as if you need to brush up on your EQ, luckily, you can improve through lessons and practice! So reach greater career success and more with the help of emotional intelligence.