Why Navigating Emotions In The Workplace Matters
Why Navigating Emotions in the Workplace Matters
Emotional intelligence is a powerful life skill that translates directly into our work lives. Simply put, emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to identify emotions, in ourselves and others. Learning to navigate emotions, and developing tools for healthy responses, will help make you a better collaborator, leader, and feel healthier at work. Below, find 5 reasons why we think high emotional intelligence is a skillset worth cultivating, and a few methods to practice!
Handle Pressure Healthily It’s no secret why the World Economic Forum says emotional intelligence will be a sought after job skill in 2020. The pressures of the workplace and a high rate of change demands strong self awareness and self regulation. People with higher levels of EQ are more attuned to their own emotional landscape, and therefore much more equipped to handle stress levels and pressure. These triggers are a natural part of work; learning to respond with grace and strength is a valuable asset at the office.
Become Feedback Friendly, and Improve Faster Studies reflect highly emotionally intelligent people are less defensive and more open to feedback, particularly when it comes to areas of improvement. Self awareness helps us look positively at places where improvement needs to occur, and helps keep us from taking criticism personally.
Powerful Collaboration Skills True collaboration isn’t simply about who does what, but understanding how people feel. Mindful practices keep us connected to the present moment, making us better at soft skills like listening and connecting to the motivations and feelings of others. Navigating those feelings ensures teams can focus on the projects and tasks at hand, without the interpersonal miscommunications that can limit productivity.
Negotiate More Effectively While emotionally intelligent people aren’t guaranteed to get what they want all the time, they are in a stronger position to voice their needs. Identifying a feeling takes some of the power away from it, and in other cases, gives power. Understanding the difference will help leverage a situation in your favor, and help you maintain a healthy emotional response, whatever the result.
Lead with Thoughtfulness People who spend time understanding their emotions are more dialed into the emotional frequency of their peers. They see from the perspective of others, and make unbiased decisions. True leadership doesn’t always mean holding a specific job title or status, but rather responding to colleagues with intention and making mindful, informed choices.
Meditation, daily movement, and breathing techniques are all part of a larger toolkit to monitor our internal temperature, and bolster wellbeing in the workplace. For example, meditating even for a few minutes can change your brain.
To increase emotional intelligence and practice navigating emotions at work, try:
A five minute meditation at your desk.
20 minutes of movement to get into your body and shake up your perspective.
A DIY or personal development class to inspire creativity and curiosity.