Emotional Intelligence: Here Are 4 Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Person

As we speak today, the dynamics of the work environment have changed. The workplace is no longer the “report to work, do your regular duties, then leave.” No, there is more to work than just carrying out assignments. 

All employers want to see productivity and harmony in their organizations. What type of skill do you need to achieve this demand? Yes, you need your technical qualifications. 

But there is one more key competency you will require: emotional intelligence.

Should we be discussing emotions in our professional capacities? You might be wondering. 

The truth is, we have to. Why? Because it matters to our bosses, our colleagues, and us too. 

Emotional intelligence is the ability to be in charge of your feelings and of others too. You, therefore, act in a way to build a mutual understanding with the people around you. 

Have you not seen people crumbling down under the pressures of work? I’m sure you have also witnessed managers failing to competently handle disagreements among employees. 

Many professionals have lost beautiful careers on grounds of depression. All these are emotional intelligence issues that can be dealt with successfully to the delight of your employer.

The fact that you are a people person and tend to easily get along with others does not automatically qualify you as emotionally intelligent. Emotional intelligence is broad and detailed.

Today we look at 4 broad aspects of emotional intelligence that you have to master for a progressive career. 

Self-control is the ability to keep your natural emotional reactions in check in the face of a crisis. This quality is particularly important for people in leadership positions. 

For instance, a huge protest on remuneration is simmering at your office and tempers are already at boiling point. And you are in the dark on the goings-on. 

As a manager, how do you call to order and invite your team for a round table discussion for an amicable solution? 

This is about your response to difficult tasks and unexpected changes in the work environment. It’s about whether you possess the ability to juggle varying work demands simultaneously.

You are always looking to meet or exceed employer expectations. A winning mentality allows you to stomach positive criticism and makes adjustments where you must do so. 

As a good employee, you are always looking for ways to do better than the day before.

Is the glass half empty or half full? It depends on how you look at it. 

A positive emotion looks at the good side of every situation. This skill is essential if you have to recover from setbacks and disappointments. 

You easily recover from bad experiences, and you are in charge of your feelings. You don’t let your emotions take over. 

In the face of stressful situations, the obvious response is panic, coupled with long spells of rants and shouts. Do not give in to those natural demands. 

Take your time, calm down, talk to your team, and find a way forward.

There is nothing as permanent as change, in this life. No situation in the world is stationary. Embrace the reality of change and prioritize accordingly, based on the goals you’re trying to achieve.

Take a deep introspection of who you are, emotionally. Analyze your natural feelings and their causes. Taking such an approach will present you with an opportunity to throw out emotions that are detrimental to your career journey. 

You will then jealously guard the emotional aspects that will potentially catapult you to the next level in your profession.

If you can develop emotional self-awareness, you will realize then that you have been empowered to make important decisions with a sense of finality. 

Hesitant approaches to problem-solving will be a thing of the past in your career.

There is no specific method. Every day is a day to try to hone your emotional skills. Only do not live in denial. Accept that you are weak in certain areas of your profession. 

Look for ways to improve while accepting the contributions of others in helping you overcome your challenges.

Be aware of what goes on in your environment at all times. One or more of the surrounding happenings could be the cause of your disappointments. 

It is common to find people listing “excellent interpersonal skills” as competency in their resumes. 

Are you sure you possess this qualification? Look at your relationships again and make a sound judgment. 

If you can’t miss a bone to pick with almost everyone at your workplace, then there is a problem. Business and work are 70% about maintaining harmonious relationships and inspiring the people that you interact with.

You are always a big plus to your team and your contributions are valuable. You get along with your coworkers in shared objectives, and they recognize you as an active member of their group. 

You possess this rare ability to get people to listen to you. Your team immediately swings into action whenever there is something to be done. You can get different heads together and agree on a cause.

You are the preferred arbiter in times of conflict. You can get people to open up on their reasons for dissent and easily find working solutions for both sides.

As a manager, people look to you for solutions to complex problems. You communicate effectively with your team and provide reasons to keep going in times of discouragement.

True leader builds confidence and courage in their followers and keeps their eyes focused on the prize. You get your team fired up for the task ahead and the eventual completion.

What’s social intelligence? It is the ability to draw pinpoint conclusions from people’s body language and other non-speech signals. 

Socially intelligent people do not find it difficult to work with people with different personalities. 

They are good listeners who speak with purpose and effect. They do not waste their words.

Always put yourself in other people’s situations. Don’t be quick to make judgments without first getting the facts. Exercise patience when people have to explain their issues and feelings to you. It is mostly counterproductive to dismiss people’s concerns without giving them an ear.

Different leaders of different companies are guided by varying ideals and philosophies in management. 

What you consider acceptable behavior in your organization might not go down well with leaders in another organization.

Be sensitive in your external communications by taking the person on the other side into consideration. Also, be strategic in your thinking because what you say could be emotionally misinterpreted by the person on the other end.

It is a cliché, but it still makes lots of sense: practice always makes perfect. Practice listening skills every moment you find the opportunity. 

Anytime you are in a conversation or a discussion, resist the temptation to take over another person’s line of speech. Wait for them to express themselves, then pick up from there. 

Do not impose your ideas on anyone.