Channeling Emotional Intelligence to Improve Performance

Many factors contribute to creating success in one's chosen career. Studies have found that it is often emotional intelligence, rather than cognitive intelligence, that helps people succeed. The emotional quotient, or E.Q., is a set of social skills that help individuals understand clients and co-workers, and it is these abilities that help to make interactions and outcomes more effective.
 
Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage emotions and behaviors to adjust to immediate situations for the most effective results. A high EQ gives us the ability to understand other people, what motivates them and how to find the best ways to work cooperatively with them.
 
Components of E. Q.

Emotional intelligence is composed of a variety of abilities and skills that combine to provide a resource that can be drawn upon for help with everyday interactions. These include:

1. Self-awareness

This aspect includes the ability to recognize one's personal moods and drives and how they affect others. It is the ability to name one's emotions correctly and why they occur.
 
2. Self-regulation

The ability to redirect impulses and manage mood, to be comfortable with ambiguity and be open to situational changes.
 

3. Internal motivation

This aspect of E.Q. involves understanding one's inner passion, beyond the external rewards of money or status. It is recognizing the forces that provide the energy and optimism to move forward.
 
4. Empathy

Empathy is what attunes individuals to what is going on inside other people. It is the sensitivity to cultural and other factors that drive other people to think and behave as they do.
 
5. Social skills

The ability to build networks and manage relationships, by finding common ground and building rapport to create change.
 
 

Tapping Into the Power of E.Q

Managers can channel their emotional intelligence to clarify tasks and resolve conflicts when they occur. To do this, individuals must examine their own communications to ensure they are transmitting information in the most effective manner possible. You can also use your E.Q. to determine the places where cultural or regional differences are creating difficulties in understanding or communication. Finally, managers must use their own well-honed ability to listen to understand what individuals are feeling and how they can remedy the situation to produce the best outcomes for their projects. Efficient HR software that allows employees to visualize their company data easily and clearly can facilitate career development and ability to excel in their positions.
 
By maximizing your ability to understand your employees, you can use data and information to provide the best environment for allowing them to be successful in their work projects.