In my last article, I discussed how Emotional Intelligence Equals More Success and a Healthier Life. I gave you a couple of quick fixes to wet your appetite. Today I want to expand on the benefits of emotional intelligence.

Most of us realize that IQ or what we commonly call intelligence will only get you so far in life. You know the person that is super smart and was always at the top of the class without studying. Or the person who is so brilliant that you can hardly hold a conversation with them. IQ will get you hired for the job but it is emotional intelligence that will help you become successful as an employee and as a manager or leader.

Consider this question- Who would you prefer to work for- someone you like and respect or someone who is really smart but you can’t relate to them and they show you no appreciation for the work you do or your contribution? I hope that was an easy question for you. This is something we all know inherently but how much have you considered your own emotional intelligence? Have you ever asked yourself how you could make yourself more valuable at work so you can move up the proverbial ladder? If you answer “yes” to this last question then you want to check the benefits of developing your emotional intelligence.

What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence (EI) is defined as the ability to identify, assess and control the emotions of oneself, of others and of groups. The concept of emotional intelligence began to emerge in the 1990s, with the publication of Daniel Goleman’s book ‘Emotional Intelligence’ in 1995 based on the work of psychologists Howard Gardner (Harvard), Peter Salovey (Yale) and John Mayer (New Hampshire) in the 1970s. via Emotional Intelligence: will it help you to succeed?

#1 Improves Your Ability To Lead Others

You will probably not stay at the same job or in the same position throughout your working career. Many people want to move up in their organization and typically that will involve some sort of leadership role. Getting a head start on your emotional intelligence skills will improve your ability to lead others and enhance your chance of upward mobility in your career.

“The best leaders have found effective ways to handle their own and others emotions. Understanding the powerful role emotions play in the workplace sets great leaders apart from the rest. Also leaders emotional resonance sets the tone in the group effecting the outlook of all those around him. Having and developing high emotional Intelligence is therefore also key in the area of leadership.”via Improve your Emotional Intelligence | Aidan Higgins on Authentic …

#2 Improves Your Communication

The more you are aware of your own reactions the better you can identify the feelings of others and communicate with more ease. The emotional intelligence assessment I use helps people get to how they see and express themselves, how they deal with stress, make decisions and operate interpersonally. All 5 areas have various aspects on our communication skills. Also utilizing an assessment helps get to the heart of each matter much more quickly. If you just talk about emotional intelligence or communication skills without knowing where you are at you might be fooling yourself. You can bet that others won’t be fooled so easily.

Identifying your own triggers can help you eliminate career ending moments of blowing off steam or even going on the attack with customers, coworkers or your boss, which leads into benefit #3.

#3 Expand your Conflict Management Skills

Learning to diffuse a difficult situation in yourself or others in meetings or with customers can win you big points and help you gain the trust of those around you. I like to coach people to manage conflict and look to conflict with innovative eyes. When there is a conflict there are two forces bumping up against one another. This can be a good thing and both sides hold an important piece of the puzzle for creating change. Conflict can point the way to what is not working and, if dealt with in an open way, can open the doors to tremendous creativity and innovation. Personality conflicts in life or business call upon us to grow and change and no one escapes these challenges. Try looking upon your next conflict with new eyes and an open heart and see what changes in you and the situation.

“When employees are perceived as rude by customers or they behave inappropriately towards customers, an organization may lose in many ways. Not only can direct sales be lost, but future revenue from both the offended customer as well as everyone he or she convinces to avoid patronage could also be lost. Furthermore, while we know that positive outcomes are often associated with positive expression of emotion by employees, the full effects of positive and genuine emotional expression by employees can have far-ranging beneficial effects for their employers.” via Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: From Employees to Leaders

Bottom Line - give yourself the gift of increasing your emotional intelligence and there is a good chance you will experience the benefits in your career with increased job satisfaction and increasing your ability to lead.

Daniel Goleman – Why Aren’t We All Good Samaritans?

https://youtu.be/r3wyCxHtGd0

If you want to learn more about emotional intelligence, watch Daniel Goodman's talk - Why Aren't We All Good Samaritans?

About the Author

Veronika has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a Board Certified Personal, Executive and Leadership Coach. She has been a psychotherapists in private practice for over 28 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She is certified as a Spiritual Intelligence Coach and Trainer through Deep Change. Veronika has done coaching and presentations in business, law enforcement, spiritual communities, Employee Assistance Programs, and with non-profit, county and state agencies since 1994. Read More About Veronika.

#EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #DanielGoleman #Communication #ConflictManagement #VeronikaTracySmithPhD