Emotional quotient (EQ), also known as emotional intelligence is becoming one of the most important factors to workplace success.
Someone with emotional intelligence has an ability to identify and control their emotions. This involves a high level of self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills. Studies are beginning to show that understanding EQ in the workplace is proven to have several benefits, such as better collaboration and a happier workplace overall.
Studies are beginning to show that being emotionally intelligent may actually help you be more successful than being the smartest person in the room. Think about some of the best managers and coworkers you’ve ever had. Do you consider them “the best” because they were the smartest? Or because they were kind, considerate, easy to work with, empathetic, and understanding?
Here are 3 ways to show emotional intelligence in the workplace:
Show humility.
Be able to admit when you’ve made a mistake, when you know you can do better, or when you know someone else has skills that you don’t. This goes a long way. No one likes someone who thinks they know better than everyone, or who can’t accept fault for their mistakes.
Show perseverance.
Everyone makes mistakes, but what separates the emotional intelligent employee and the emotionally erratic employee is their ability to persevere through hardships. When you fall down, pick yourself up, and march forward. Don’t let your pride get in the way, or allow self-doubt to keep you stuck in place. Accept that everyone has hiccups sometimes, and you are no different.
Show empathy.
When someone says they are struggling in the office, or maybe they have something personal going on, show empathy. Bosses or colleagues who treat employees like robots, who shouldn’t be allowed to have human emotions are never successful.
To be successful in the workplace you must understand feelings, not just facts.
Maya Angelou says it best, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Be someone who makes their coworkers feel good to be around.