In recent decades, much has been said about emotional intelligence in both the professional and personal spheres, as it is an excellent tool for managing our emotions in complex or stressful situations in order to make sound decisions at the right time.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and express emotions effectively, learn to cope with stress in a healthy way, and adapt to complex and changing circumstances, where empathy toward others is essential for resolving conflicts and using emotions constructively for the benefit of both parties.
Moreover, recognizing and managing our own emotions will always have a positive impact on caring for our mental health.
In the workplace, applying this skill also means having self-control and self-regulation, which help us create space for reflection and analysis before making a decision or taking action, as well as contributing to team synergy.
Benefits of emotional intelligence in the workplace
There are many advantages for those who develop and strengthen emotional intelligence, but we will mention the most relevant so you can understand the impact it can have on your professional development and personal life:
- Improves the work environment: understanding and managing our own emotions and those of others helps establish healthier interpersonal relationships with collaborators and coworkers.
- Encourages teamwork: by listening to and better understanding others’ needs and perspectives, teams become more effective in managing and solving problems.
- Increases efficiency and effectiveness: when resolving conflicts with work teams, clients, and suppliers, it helps create a more collaborative and productive work environment.
- Helps manage stress and work pressure: by fostering listening and dialogue to boost creativity, promote effective leadership, and make sound decisions at the right time.
Daniel Goleman, psychologist and promoter of emotional intelligence, points out that there are five basic pillars for integrating this powerful tool into work projects:
- Self-awareness: recognizing our own emotions and how they influence us to understand how and when it is the best time to make decisions.
- Self-control: reflecting on our emotions and learning to manage them. Resilience and adaptation to change help maintain balance in interpersonal relationships.
- Self-motivation: achieving business objectives and goals, encouraging others to perform their roles with inspiration and focus.
- Empathy: putting yourself in others’ shoes to perceive how those who collaborate or work with us feel, since our reactions and emotions can affect our coworkers. In addition, it helps strengthen working relationships rather than competition.
- Effective Communication: knowing how to express oneself assertively strengthens a more open and inclusive work environment by listening to the emotions and ideas of others. It also helps pay attention to nonverbal cues to understand how others feel and create a better work environment.
Now that you know the benefits and steps of emotional intelligence in the workplace, we invite you to put it into practice every day; you will notice that you become more aware of yourself, your environment, and others.
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