There are several kinds of intelligence, and it’s our job to figure out what they are and how to integrate them into our lives. Along with your IQ, which has long been used to predict success, the new up and comer is emotional intelligence, or EQ. For leaders, this is a key quality to have in order to be effective in their role.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. Since we often make decisions and respond to stimuli based on our feelings, it is essential that you know how to grow your EQ. Leaders need to be quick on their feet to ensure the team is meeting daily goals, but also when there are challenges to overcome. These situations need a level head to make good decisions for all.
For some, EI traits come easy but, for others, they need to develop theirs so they become more intelligent emotionally. By being high in EI, these types of leaders have less stress and lead more boldly and authentically. This raises their connection with their team members while inspiring them to work autonomously. The idea of the ‘open door’ lives as members feel safer coming to the leader when issues occur.
If you want to increase your emotional intelligence, here are five qualities that you need to focus on:
Self-Awareness
If you want to increase your emotional intelligence, then you have to become self-aware and recognize what stimuli you are facing and then preparing yourself for how to manage your reaction and emotions in both a proactive and reactive manner.
Self-awareness is how you see yourself and how we think others see us; you will know how and why you think, feel, and react so you can regulate your emotions and behaviors.
Empathy
Empathy is your ability to understand what someone else is experiencing from within their frame of reference. We tend to empathize with others based on the reaction to others. Empathy is different than sympathy, which says I feel bad for you so I’ll take your pain on, while empathy says I understand and asks what can I do to support you.
Start by learning how to see situations from someone else’s shoes and then work on your ability to respond accordingly. This will help you to start to treat others in the manner that you wish yourself to be treated by others.
Curiosity
When you are curious about the world around you, you tend to be more creative, which breeds passion; when you are more passionate, you are more driven to want to be your best.
Having this kind of learning mindset ends up positively affecting the work culture, as you learn and connect more with team members. Encouraging their curiosity will give way to new ideas to work challenges and enhancing teamwork.
Analytical Mind
The most emotionally intelligent and resolute individuals are deep thinkers that tend to analyze and process all of the new information that comes their way. They also tend to continue analyzing old information, ways of doing things, and habits to determine if they can find new ways to improve.
Having an analytical mind means that you have a healthy appetite for continually improving your mindset and working to better yourself while remaining open to new ideas.
Optimism
If you want to be able to increase the opportunities that are presented to you, improve your relationships, and think clearly, then you need to maintain a positive attitude. Your attitude is one of the only things that is always within your control. If you want to improve your emotional intelligence, then you need to choose to live each day with positivity.
See the positives in your work and that of your employees to model this trait in your workers and create a happier and productive environment. You may see lemons now but there is always lemonade on the horizon.
Improving your emotional intelligence isn’t a complicated process. Take some time to work on these five qualities and watch as your emotional intelligence dramatically improves.
There are many ways to increase your EI, but having support – such as coaching – can get you there faster so you can lead strong and drive results. Contact us today to learn more.
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