The Emotional Intelligence – The New Yardstick

 

Appraisals were nearby. Boss was making important announcements in the meeting but he was looking distracted. After a while everyone realized my colleague and cabin mate Ria was crying and tears were rolling down, all of us ignored. Before I and Ria returned to cabin, intercom was ringing I picked up. It was boss, “Send Ria immediately”. Ria wiped her face and rushed. Ria came back smiling from boss cabin. I was glad to see her relaxed face .Before I ask her anything she shared that she had a break up with her boyfriend. But boss made her realize how it is crucial to focus on career during this hard-hitting time on personal front. Ria was a performer. She kicked off her work with the same enthusiasm and was anticipating promotion. Appraisals came Ria got increment but could not uphold promotion as Branch manager. It was outrageous for her and for the team. Ria was most meritorious candidate. Anxious Ria interrogated boss, “Why? Where did I go wrong?” He replied, “Ria you are emotionally disturb now and this position is challenging and taxing. I think you are unfit to handle pressure but don’t worry in fact you should be glad that you got an increment without additional responsibilities. Right? Take it positively wish you all the best.”

This is where Ria experienced the lesson of managing emotions at workplace. Impulsive emotions overrides the rational for which can be expensive for employees. The rules at workplace are changing. Employees are being apprised by new yardstick. It is no more imperative how intelligent employees are but how effectively they manage their emotions at work. Jobs demands managers to work under pressure, manage conflict etc. Emotional management trait has become more crucial while hiring, promoting or retaining for future job.

Human beings are born with emotions. The primary implication of emotion is “any agitation or disturbance of mind, feelings, passion, and any vehement or excited mental state.” Emotions are like anger, sadness, fear, enjoyment etc. Emotional management helps managers to have better interpersonal skills. Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist who popularize Emotional Intelligence (EI), there are five main elements of emotional intelligence: 1. Self-awareness; 2. Self-regulation; 3. Motivation; 4. Empathy; 5. Social skills.

1.      Self-awareness: Self- awareness is a vital ability to build a basic mechanics of our mental life. Self- awareness fosters self management. It is an ability to monitor feelings from moment to moment. It is crucial to psychological insight and self understanding. Managers with greater certainty about their feelings are better pilots of their lives. Self- awareness of moods, clarity of emotions, when employees get into bad mood their mindfulness help mangers to control their emotions. Self- awareness helps managers while making decision, managing their feelings, handling stress etc.

2.      Self-regulation- Self-regulation skill is necessary for consistent emotional well being. It is regulating our internal processing and deciding what our reaction will be. Managers who regulate themselves effectively rarely verbally attack others, make rushed or emotional decisions, stereotype people, or compromise their values. Regulating our emotional response to a situation can have a profound effect on the outcomes.

3.      Motivation- Self motivation is reflects achievement drive, initiative and optimism. Self motivated managers are more committed and also has high benchmarks for themselves. Emotions are contagious. Motivated managers encourage their team, encourage debate, open discussion and try to achieve win- win situation.

4.      Empathy- Empathy begins inside. It refers to understanding others, developing others and service orientation.  It is sensing what others feel without saying so capture the essence of empathy. Empathy is the fundamental to built strong relations. Subordinates or colleagues of managers express themselves through non- verbal ways. Mangers need to pick up emotional cues.

5.      Social skills- “None of us are as smart as all of us”- surviving without team is impossible.  Socializing shapes the brains. Social skills refer to an art of collaboration, change catalyst, networking and building bonds. It is about ability to understand team needs facilitate them to fulfill. Managers require being sensitive, providing constructive feedback, being mentor. Seek ways to help others.  

To be effective, manger you must have a concrete understanding of how their emotions and actions affect the people around them. The better a leader relates to and works with others, the more successful he or she will be. Take the time to work on self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Working on these areas will help you excel in the future!

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