WORKFORCE PLANNING

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:

1. Keep a journal. Writing things down can help you process what’s going on in your life. After people have read through their past entries, they can begin to recognize patterns, which can help them the next time something specific comes up.
2. Develop active listening skills. This involves paying attention to others, asking pertinent questions and giving feedback. To listen better, find a mechanism that works best for you; it could either be an internal voice or note-taking on paper.
3. Voice your emotions. Many people have a tendency to keep their emotions inside, and some even experience difficulty in identifying their feelings. If you are aware of your emotions and you express them with composure, they will be easier to control.
4. Ask for feedback. If you get in the habit of asking people for their thoughts, then you can start to understand their way of thinking and even predict their behavior. People think differently because everyone has different life experiences. This is a great way to help put the full picture together and find common ground between two opposing sides.
5. Always schedule downtime. Everyone will occasionally feel overwhelmed, and they need to know that it’s okay to take a break. This has been true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; stress levels have been high, especially in the field of health care. Be intentional and carve out time to engage in fulfilling activities, such as meeting up with family and friends.

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

1. More efficient teamwork. Teams that show high levels of EI will have better alignment, communication and trust when they face adversity. Being able to manage yourself emotionally and have healthy interactions with other team members leads to these team benefits.
2. Better office environment. When people have a positive outlook on life and can empathize with others, it will positively affect the office environment. Adaptability and healthy conflict management shown by professionals with high EI will allow those in the office to work through problems in a productive and calm manner.
3. Adjustments can be made easier. Adaptability comes with high EI, so when an adaptable person faces adversity, that person is more likely to remain composed and manage uncomfortable situations more professionally.
4. Time is managed better. Self-awareness, which is the cornerstone of EI, leads to better time management because if you understand what may keep you from peak performance (e.g., procrastination or fear of failure), you are able to address those fears instead of being stuck in denial. We can’t change what we refuse to recognize and own.
5. There is more motivation. People with high EI tend to be optimistic. They are typically very patient, enthusiastic, ambitious and consistent. They are not easily deterred when things take longer than expected, so their motivation remains consistent over time.
6. Increased leadership capabilities. Those with high EI are skilled mentors and coaches. They are good at resolving conflict and are influential and inspirational—qualities most professionals look for in their leaders—and developing these capabilities is critical.
7. Stronger formation of professional relationships. Those with high EI are more skilled in building an effective, productive team based on solid relationships. You don’t have to be best friends with your co-workers, but you do have to be friendly, listen well, ask for feedback, and be vulnerable and respectful to develop strong relationships.
8. Having a financial advantage over other companies. Professionals with high EI are open to making adjustments, receptive to feedback and willing to change, understand how to interact effectively with co-workers, and want to improve the overall workplace. Having these qualities saves significant amounts of time and money for companies, which gives them a financial advantage.

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