As the workplace continues to evolve, making room for new technologies and innovations, these qualities may become increasingly important. According to the University Consulting Alliance, 67 % of all abilities associated with strong job performance were related to emotional intelligence. Another study by Multi-Health Systems and discussed in Inc. found that when stress negatively impacted employees’ emotional intelligence, their job performance and career advancement suffered.
Five key components of emotional intelligence essential for professional success:
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and comprehend one’s emotions, motivations and changing moods, as well as the effect that one’s emotions have on other people.
Self-regulation is the ability to control and in some cases even productively channel negative and/or disruptive emotions and impulses.
Motivation is defined as the drive to work for reasons that transcend money or status.
Empathy is simply the ability to understand the emotions, moods and dispositions of other people and to tailor one’s actions.
Social skill is the ability to build and maintain social networks and strong individual relationships with others.
Instead of bottling up emotions, try acknowledging your feelings while reframing your thoughts to stay positive even in trying situations. Building this awareness can not only help you thrive in a corporate setting and enjoy happiness in the workplace, but also lead to a more effective and satisfying life in general.
