#BTColumn – Emotional intelligence and you

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

I am a new supervisor and I am required to attend an emotional intelligence seminar. From the name I assume that it is about managing my emotions but I don’t really see the benefit of attending. Is there any insight that you can give on what to expect?

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and use your emotions effectively as well as assisting those around you to manage theirs. It is not about learning how to supress your emotions or being less emotional but about being sensitive, aware and understanding of the emotions and impulses.

Most experts state that there are four components to emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management/control, social awareness, and relationship management. Each component is designed to help managers, supervisors and leaders face any crisis with lower levels of stress, less emotional responsiveness and fewer unintended consequences.

Self-awareness helps you to identify your feelings and enables you to control your reactions. This puts you (not your emotions) in charge. Similarly, with self-control, you exert control over your emotions so your responses are more measured and conducive to getting the job done despite challenges you may face.

Social awareness means that you can be empathetic to the concerns of others. This increases the chances of “buy in” from employees when required because they are able to see you putting yourself in their shoes and genuinely understanding their concerns. Also, social awareness allows you to see the many ways in which a situation impacts the business, people, and systems. This increases the likelihood of successfully correcting a problem, or handling any crisis because you are unlikely to miss something important.

Relationship management enables you to interact well with others. It enables you to work with others better to get the job done. This does not rely on rational argument; it relies on understanding how people feel and what emotions are important in their decision-making process. This requires you to be actively listening and communicating clearly to influence/persuade the employees when necessary.

Why it is important in the workplace?

Leaders must possess emotional intelligence in order to be effective managers/supervisors. So as a new supervisor your employers see the benefit in ensuring that you are equipped with the correct tools which can help you get the job done so you will be better able to understand nonverbal cues and to control your own responses and behaviour. This will allow you to make reasoned decisions.

How does Emotional Intelligence help you to manage?

• With undeveloped emotional unintelligence skills, individuals often struggle to manage their feelings. As a result, they may act impulsively without giving clear thought to their behaviour and the consequences of their actions which affects them and the people around them.

• Emotional intelligence is also a vital skill in communication. It can assist you in understanding how to offer constructive criticism instead of personal attacks or criticism and to challenge behaviors, not people. It fosters healthy communication that produces common goals across the business.

• It assists you in supporting your team through recognising their emotions and working to reduce their stressors.

• It equips you with skills to help resolve conflicts that arise between team members or co-workers.

• You learn how to keep calm and productive when under pressure. Working towards the organisation’s goals regardless of obstacles that arise.

• Being able to handle emotions gives you the ability to guide and help people. It increases your chance of success in people management. Persons with high emotional intelligence are likely to excel in leadership positions.

What are benefits of Emotional intelligence to the business?

• Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in the workplace as its absence significantly affects how employees interact with one another, handle stress, and perform their work.

• With this skill in the workplace, through trained management and supervisory staff, a workplace is created where people are free to express themselves openly without fear of emotional outburst.

• It motivates employees to understand their own emotions and those of their colleagues, fostering team spirit.

• It creates positive relationships and deeper connections between employees.

• Where there is the presence of high emotional intelligence employees respond to change effectively and handle any additional stress it brings. The employees are more flexible when change occurs.

• Employees show more empathy and decisions are based on what is best for everyone involved and they are able to see and make decisions objectively.

Leaders who harness the power of emotional intelligence must leverage their skills of empathy, self-awareness, self-management and interpersonal relationships to create inclusive teams that are built to succeed. These efforts contribute to greater innovation, enhanced customer satisfaction and more engaged teams.

About Lifeline Labour Solutions: Lifeline Labour Solutions is a boutique partnership providing people management solutions to workplace challenges Partners Carol- Ann Jordan and Jacqueline Belgrave are established practitioners with a wealth of knowledge and experience in Employment Relations, Labour Relations and Human Resource Management between them. Email: info@ lifelinelabour.