Practicing Emotional Intelligence for Workplace (and Personal) Success
What precisely is EI? Simply put, it’s being able to identify and understand your feelings when you are experiencing them, and the ability to manage them in positive ways.
That’s important because researchers believe EI can lead to more effective communication, problem-solving and leadership skills, as well as stronger interpersonal relationships and greater career success.
In fact, about 90% of top performers in the workplace have high EI, as it is responsible for 58% of a person’s job performance, according to emotionalintelligence.net. In addition, people with high EI make about $29,000 more annually than their counterparts with low EI.
“We’re often surprised by our emotions because they just happen. Emotions, such as anger, often creep up on us, and we are frequently unable to suppress them on the spot,” said M.J. Clark, MA, APR, vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems.
“In the moment, we are prone to what scientists call ‘neural hijacking,’ where our emotions take over. So, ultimately, emotional intelligence is about awareness,” said Clark. “When we are aware of the situations that trigger us, we can put up our emotional guard and enter those situations prepared and less likely to react. There are a lot of predictable patterns in life, and once we are able to recognize the emotions we are likely to experience in these same situations, we will have the upper hand.”
The concept of EI made its debut in the late 20th century, and out of it came its four core abilities: self-management, social skills, social awareness and self-awareness.
It’s essential to understand the key role of self-awareness in developing successful relationships, as well as being able to pinpoint behaviors that affect work performance, in order to more efficiently overcome workplace conflicts and to be more successful, according to Clark.
“While your aptitude can get you to a certain level in the organization, it’s really your emotional intelligence that gets you promoted and gets you more money,” she said. “I knew someone who was the smartest guy in a company, but nobody wanted to work with him. There was eventually a job opening on his team—a great promotion—but several people turned it down because they didn’t want to report to him. Even though you may be a really intelligent person, these soft skills are what really take you to the next level.”
“It’s precisely for that reason that SHSMD members should particularly care about this topic since health care leaders are at the forefront of their organization, an ideal position of power that can influence a lot of people using EI skills,” said Terri Flood, MHA, vice president of business development at Wayne HealthCare.
“When it comes to the professional space, trust is what comes to mind. The ability to listen first and foremost is essential to be an effective leader, or even a part of a strong team,” said Flood. “In being aware of what others are saying and what they want, you can pick up underlying themes within your organization, which will undoubtedly make everything run more efficiently, and everyone will just be happier, which is great for morale.”
Further, from a business perspective, one of the biggest benefits is having people in your organization who feel comfortable with uncomfortable conversations, according to Clark.
“One of the dysfunctions that we’re trying to avoid is something Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, called ‘artificial harmony’,” she said. “When people have emotional intelligence, they are able to say what they have to but in a kind and professional way, and while still being direct. I think artificial harmony is when people nod and smile but then privately speak negatively, which isn’t productive. People with high emotional intelligence are able to have those difficult conversations. In a health care setting, when everyone is overwhelmingly busy, you need people who will be direct instead of just going along and not bringing issues up, causing more inefficiencies.”
According to the experts, some of the top ways that having high EI can improve the workplace include more efficient teamwork, a better office environment, easier adjustments, better time management, increased leadership capabilities, better motivation and morale, stronger formation of professional relationships, and having a financial advantage over other people and companies.
Although it is possible to develop high EI, it takes practice. The experts suggest the following to foster these skills:
Understanding the importance of self-awareness will help determine how and why emotions occur, in addition to harnessing skills for future success, said Flood.
“EI is the ability to identify, use, understand and manage our emotions in positive and constructive ways,” she said. “People who prioritize self-management and relationship management continuously thrive with new opportunities both professionally and personally. These techniques will help you be inquisitive, manage fears effectively, and your organization will be more successful with you as a leader.”
Organizational Benefits of High EI
This article features interviews with:
M.J. Clark, MA, APR
Vice President
Integrated Leadership Systems
Westerville, Ohio
Terri Flood, MHA
Vice President, Business Development
Wayne HealthCare
Greenville, Ohio