According to Forbes, “Emotional Intelligence is one of the strongest indicators of success in business.”

Emotional Intelligence is your ability to understand and respond to your own emotions and your ability to understand and respond to the emotions and needs of others.

Here are eight examples of instances when a high level of Emotional Intelligence is needed:
1. Working with and managing a difficult co-worker
2. Working with a diverse team of unique personalities
3. Working remotely/ virtually with different cultures and time zones
4. Connecting with a client over the phone or in zoom
5. Asking for honest feedback and seeking to apply it
6. Welcoming and bonding with new members of your team
7. Adapting to drastic changes while staying flexible and nimble
8. Owning mistakes and taking responsibilities

Signs of Poor Emotional Intelligence:

• You display non-verbal tension.
• You are too argumentative over small issues.
• You find it difficult to connect with co-workers.
• You complain about change and disruption.
• You aren’t getting recognized or promoted.

Two Skills to Immediately Increase Your Emotional Intelligence:

1. Listen twice as much you speak

-It’s a simple rule in working relationships but it works.
-Listening is the #1 critical key in your Emotional Intelligence arsenal

2. Give people the benefit of the doubt 
-Empathize. Ask yourself, “how might he or she be feeling about this?”

One simple final word: Be friendly and positive. I often walk with a wonderful leader on Saturday mornings. I realized I look forward to our walk because he is always positive and upbeat.

With a little more self-awareness, you can shine and start seeing a real difference with how people respond to you.

Here’s to you,

-Steve