Emotional intelligence at the workplace

Sep 28, 2009

EMOTIONAL Intelligence? What in the world is that?<br>We know of the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) concept and base a lot of our professional judgments on how intelligent people appear.

HR Insight
With Paula Kyabaggu Mukama

EMOTIONAL Intelligence? What in the world is that?
We know of the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) concept and base a lot of our professional judgments on how intelligent people appear.

On our resumes, we quickly mention our achievements when it comes to proving our intelligence. But does that say all there is to about our intelligence? Aren’t our emotional sides equally important?

Emotional intelligence is the inborn ability of a person to perceive, assess, and influence one’s own emotion and the emotions of other people around them.

The term was originally coined by Dr. Wayne Payne in 1985 but was only popularised by Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence book in 1995.

For years we have not taken into consideration our emotions when it comes to our workplace.

Infact, many professionals firmly believe in not bringing emotions to the workplace. But is this humanly possible? Not quite when we consider that we are emotional beings first then intellectual beings.

Bringing in optimism, energy, happiness and humor to a workplace is all part of bringing your emotions to the workplace and all these are qualities that foster a healthy and motivating work environment.

One’s emotional intelligence can determine how one approaches their job and colleagues and how well they do their job.

Unlike with IQs which are innate and natural, emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed. Infact, emotions are not even implanted on us when we are babies. It is through interactions that we develop them.

Many in the corporate world are now giving priority to emotional intelligence. Gone are the days when worker’s intellect and skills were the only indicators of efficiency.

In fact, some might even go as far as saying that EQ (Emotional Quotient) holds more importance than IQ.

There is a lot that emotional intelligence can achieve for an individual, within and outside of their workplace. Boosting one’s emotional intelligence is a must for those who are serious about finding success.

Whether one is a lawyer, accountant, doctor, banker or is in any other occupation, it is likely that good interpersonal skills are important to their success.

In workplaces today, we often work as part of a team. Hence we need to work effectively with people who have different personalities, motivations and work habits.

Emotional Intelligence promotes self-awareness which in turn works on self-improvement. For example, when one gets angry and is aware of it, they could use Emotional Intelligence exercises to help channel the energy the anger comes with.

Such intense energy, instead of letting it take a destructive way, can be directed into a constructive activity.

Therefore, Emotional Intelligence enables one to use emotions and have more effective control over themselves. Such knowledge can play a big part in how one performs and conducts themselves at their workplace.

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