In the twenty-first century workplace, something strange is happening: the more technology we have in this digital era, the more we automate jobs and trust robots to take over responsibilities, the more we appreciate the value of emotions.

Emotions, especially emotional intelligence, come to mind. Emotional intelligence refers to our capacity to detect and comprehend emotions in ourselves and others, as well as to apply that knowledge to our ideas and activities. Emotionally bright people are more likely to be successful than their non-emotionally intelligent counterparts because they get along better with others and are more empathic and caring. As a result, emotional intelligence is a subject worth studying further.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

It\’s okay if emotional intelligence appears to be an oxymoron to you. We have a tendency to conceive of our emotions and intelligence as two distinct entities. When you combine the two, you get emotional intelligence, which is defined as \”the capacity to be aware of, manage, and express one\’s emotions, as well as the ability to handle interpersonal interactions prudently and empathetically,\” according to the dictionary definition. In his book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, psychologist Daniel Goleman popularized the phrase by redefining what it means to be clever. Goleman puts forth five components of emotional intelligence in his book:

Five Components of Emotional Intelligence

  • Self-regulation

Emotionally intelligent people can control their emotions and keep them in check because they are self-aware.

  • Motivation

People who have a high level of emotional intelligence are also highly driven, making them more resilient and hopeful.

  • Empathy

People with empathy and compassion are simply better at connecting with other people. 

  • Social Skills

Emotionally intelligent people\’s social abilities demonstrate that they actually care about and respect others, and that they get along well with them.

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What is the Difference Between IQ and EQ?

How does emotional intelligence vary from mental intelligence if it is a sort of intelligence? In part, because of the way it\’s measured. A person\’s intelligence quotient (IQ) is a number generated from standardised intelligence tests. Your IQ is strongly related to your intellectual talents, such as how effectively you absorb, comprehend, and apply knowledge. People with higher IQs are better at thinking abstractly and making mental connections.

Emotional intelligence is not the same as IQ. Emotional intelligence, often known as EI or EQ (for Emotional Intelligence Quotient), is when we use our emotions to think and improve our thinking. Those with strong emotional intelligence can control their emotions as well as use them to aid their thinking and comprehend the feelings of others.

When it comes to the job, some think that emotional intelligence is more important than IQ, while others feel that IQ is more important. Regardless of which is more important, emotional intelligence plays a decidedly important role at work.

Importance of Emotional Intelligence

Although it used to appear that way, just because you pass through the door and into an office building does not imply you check your emotions there before commencing work. In actuality, emotions have always been present in the workplace, but they were expected to be suppressed, with employees pretending not to feel while on the clock.

However, we are increasingly admitting emotions at work and appreciating the benefits of doing so. And, because the workplace has evolved, emotional intelligence is more important than it used to be. For one thing, we now mostly work in groups rather than alone, and wise businesses are understanding that recognising emotions may lead to healthier workplaces. This isn\’t to say it\’s an emotional free-for-all, but it does imply individuals are more likely to recognise and respond to their own and others\’ feelings.

People with higher emotional intelligence are also better at adapting to change, which is crucial in today\’s fast-paced digital world.

Furthermore, leaders with better emotional intelligence have happier personnel who remain longer, lowering attrition costs, and strive harder, improving productivity. According to a Forbes article, salespeople with higher emotional intelligence outperform other salespeople, and emotional intelligence was a better predictor of success than experience or IQ in a survey of 515 executives.

Companies that are recruiting want to make sure that the people they hire will fit in well with their current teams. As a result, roughly 20% of companies now conduct emotional intelligence tests as part of their employment procedures. In today\’s world, even the brightest individual requires strong people skills to succeed. A high IQ is no longer sufficient.

Emotional Intelligence Skills

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We are also born with a high IQ, although emotional intelligence is something we can work on improving. Our emotional intelligence is mostly determined by how we are nurtured as children, but as adults, we may take actions to improve our emotional intelligence. In an essay for Inc:, Justin Bariso, author of EQ, Applied: A Real-World Approach to Emotional Intelligence, suggests seven techniques to increase emotional intelligence.

ONE SUN ONE WORLD ONE GRID PROJECT

Consider your feelings. This is the point at which self-awareness emerges. Consider your own emotions and how you generally react to unpleasant events, whether they involve a coworker, family member, or stranger, to improve your emotional intelligence. You may begin to regulate your emotions and normal reactions as you become more aware of them.

Inquire about someone\’s viewpoint. What we consider to be reality is frequently not the same as what people around us view. Begin soliciting feedback from others to better understand how you seem in emotionally sensitive circumstances.

Observe. Pay greater attention to your emotions once you\’ve enhanced your self-awareness and understood how you come across.

Take a breather for a moment. Before you act or talk, take a moment to consider. It\’s difficult at first, but if you stick with it, it will become second nature.

Understanding the \”why\” will help you become more empathic. Make an effort to comprehend the \”why\” behind another\’s sentiments or emotions.

Make the decision to learn from criticism. Who enjoys being criticised? No one, most likely. However, it is unavoidable. We may improve our emotional intelligence by choosing to learn from criticism rather than merely defending our actions.

It\’s all about practise, practise, practise. It will take time and work to become more emotionally intelligent, but it is possible with effort, patience, and a lot of practise.

We live in a time when, owing to technology, we can acquire certifications in a variety of disciplines to further our jobs, but we can\’t get one in emotional intelligence. Individually, we must face this issue, realise its importance, choose to improve it, and continue to work on it—likely for the rest of our lives. However, the benefits outweigh the costs as we improve as employees, spouses, and all-around individuals.