You’ve heard of IQ before — it’s the measurement of our intelligence quotient, or, to put it simply, how smart we are. There is another type of intelligence that is of equal importance, especially in the workplace: emotional intelligence.
Read on to find out more about what emotional intelligence is, and why your employees should have it in order to move your business forward.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence, sometimes referred to as EQ, is defined as “the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.” Essentially, it’s working effectively with others and being able to express yourself and understand those around you. As you can imagine, emotional intelligence is a quality that is quite valuable, both in our personal lives and at the workplace.
Why is it important?
Having high emotional intelligence offers many benefits. The higher a person’s EQ, the better they’re able to function as a part of a team environment. In fact, without certain aspects of emotional intelligence, an individual is unlikely to be successful in the modern working world. If one can’t get along with coworkers or supervisors, they’re not going to succeed, regardless of the industry or field.
Emotional intelligence is also important for adapting in the workplace, whether that be to new coworkers, new technologies, or new processes. Someone with low emotional intelligence would shut themselves off to these kinds of developments, rather than embrace them.
How can I tell if my employees have Emotional Intelligence?
There are five pillars of emotional intelligence that you can look for, both in your current employees and in potential hires. They are:
- Self-awareness — a person who is self-aware understands their own strengths and weaknesses, and they take constructive criticism.
- Self-regulation — an individual who self-regulates exercises restraint when necessary, and isn’t afraid to be honest about their feelings when it’s appropriate.
- Motivation — those with high emotional intelligence are self-motivated to better themselves and those around them.
- Empathy — people who are emotionally intelligent are empathetic, meaning they can understand what others are feeling and relate to it.
- People skills — those with a lot of emotional intelligence enjoy interacting with others and can easily build rapport with coworkers.
Ready to boost your team with a roster of emotionally intelligent professionals? We’re here to help you find them. Contact High Profile online or by calling 972-991-7900 today to see how our staffing service can serve you best.