For many years, revealing emotions in professional settings has been frowned upon. When emotions and intellect are used cooperatively together, we have a tool that is one of the most important skills a person can have in a business setting.
Emotional intelligence is needed to build and enhance relationships. Emotional intelligence is needed to comprehend and process our own emotional state, and maintain control over it. Having emotions and being emotional are two drastically different things. Being emotional may not lead to success, but having emotions and maintaining control through intellect can help us to understand and acknowledge feelings.
Emotional intelligences are the driving force that allows us to respond in the correct manner to feelings, and to further comprehend the situation. With emotional intelligence, we can lasso the energy from the situation, and make the emotions work in positive favor for the individual, team, or company.
To better understand emotional intelligence, here is a general definition. EI is a group of competencies which a person must exhibit the ability to determine behaviors, moods, or impulses. Self-awareness and self-control are essential, and must be practiced in order to appropriately use EI. Most commonly, the following are a significant part of EI:
- Being empathic
- Identifying emotions
- Recognizing emotions of others
- Maintaining control of emotions
- Responding with appropriate emotions
- Having good communication and social skills
Emotions are information, and an opportunity to develop a better relationship. Emotion is the energy we need to act in a given situation. Emotional intelligence has five basic components:
- Self-awareness
- Self-regulation
- Motivation
- Empathy
- Social skills
A mastery of these emotions will serve you well, and help you to diffuse tough situations. Keeping raw emotions in check will allow a professional and appropriate response when needed the most. In addition, having self-motivation allows for growth at an individual’s pace while also measure the pace of the team. Thus, keeping the team in balance with emotional intelligence.
First impressions are the most important. This is true, as well, with emotional intelligence. On a first meeting, we determine if we like someone within three to five seconds of meeting them. That is incredibly fast to place judgment on a complete stranger. However, through traits that have been learned through emotional intelligence, our rational brain can reign in these impressions until demonstrated proof has had an opportunity to plead its case.
