Mastering Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Have you ever had trouble asking for feedback? Are you worried you come off as rude in meetings? On this episode of the Leadership Hustle, Andrea and Michelle discuss all the intricacies of human emotions in the workplace. We all have different personality traits that we can’t change but we do have the ability to modify our behavior. Andrea and Michelle will give you all the tips you need to correctly respond to and ask for feedback.
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Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: How to Manage your Behavior
Emotional intelligence is a word that we often hear in business spaces and leadership skills; however, do we really understand what it means, and what do we do with it? After years of coaching leaders in various industries, Revela can confidently say that most people in leadership positions still lack emotional intelligence because they don’t understand the benefits of these skills.
Emotional intelligence is about being self-aware of our own and our team’s behaviors and being able to manage reactions to create a safe environment for everyone. In this episode of The Leadership Hustle Podcast, Andrea Fredrickson and Michelle Hill talk about the importance of emotional intelligence and how to apply it at the highest levels of your organization.
About Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Emotional intelligence is not merely about recognizing our emotions and those of others. It is also about understanding how our actions and behaviors impact those around us. As leaders, it's crucial to recognize and adjust our behavior to create a more conducive and productive working environment. This means being aware of how we respond to situations, how we manage stress, and how we interact with our team members.
Trust and Comfort
When leaders exhibit emotional intelligence, they foster an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. They promote open communication, encourage collaboration, and build trust within the team. This leads to higher job satisfaction, improved performance, and, ultimately, greater success for the organization. Furthermore, leaders with high emotional intelligence can effectively navigate conflicts and manage workplace dynamics.
The Consequences of Lacking Emotional Intelligence
On the flip side, a workspace that lacks emotional intelligence can have alarming consequences. In such an environment, conflict and misunderstanding are common, leading to a decrease in morale and productivity.Employees often don’t know what to expect from a leader who lacks this skill because their reaction is emotional rather than rational.
They might feel undervalued and unheard, leading to high turnover rates. This can also make it difficult for teams to work together effectively.All this can result in poor decision-making, lower performance levels, and, ultimately, a decline in the organization's success.
Emotional Intelligence is a Choice
Andrea and Michelle have effectively utilized Discs, a personality assessment tool, on numerous occasions. This tool illuminates our behavioral tendencies, providing a clear understanding of our intentions and thought processes.These tests can offer invaluable insights for leaders. It identifies areas of strength and those requiring moderation or management to lead a team successfully.
However, it's crucial to note that these assessments are not tools to justify our behavior. Instead, they're meant to serve as catalysts for self-improvement and growth. They provide a mirror for us to reflect upon our behavior and make necessary adjustments for the betterment of our team and to enhance our leadership skills.Leadership is about adaptability and the willingness to evolve; this means that emotional intelligence is a choice that managers need to actively implement; they need to want to change.
Self-awareness is Key for Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
How can you cultivate greater self-awareness to enhance your leadership style and emotional intelligence? Here are some strategies that can guide you on this path
Seek Feedback: Constructive feedback can provide a fresh perspective, revealing aspects that might have eluded your notice. By welcoming feedback, you can gain insights into how your actions or decisions are perceived by others. This understanding can be instrumental in shaping yourself into a more effective leader.
Take Proactive Steps: Awareness is just the first step; the real change comes with action. Once you identify areas that need improvement, make a conscious effort to adjust your behavior. It could involve managing your reactions better, improving your communication style, or being more empathetic towards your team's needs.
Ask for help: Don't hesitate to ask your team for assistance. Encourage them to point out behaviors that might be hindering their productivity or morale. This open communication not only helps you grow as a leader but also fosters a culture of trust and mutual respect within the team.
Setting a Clear Intention
Understanding the 'why' behind your actions is crucial. If you aim to manage your behavior and enhance your emotional intelligence, it's essential first to identify the reasons compelling this change. Is it to improve your team's productivity? Foster better relationships with your colleagues? Or perhaps to become a more effective leader? Having a clear intention will guide your efforts and provide motivation when challenges arise. Remember, this process isn't an attack on your personality or inherent traits. Instead, it's about recognizing areas of improvement and making conscious efforts to evolve.
The Role of a Leader with Emotional Intelligence
As a leader, your duty extends beyond task delegation and performance management. It involves creating an environment that is safe, inclusive, and effective for everyone to reach their full potential. Emotional Intelligence then plays a pivotal role in this process. If you can understand and manage your emotions, you are already there. This understanding enables you to communicate better, handle stress efficiently, empathize with your team members, overcome challenges, and defuse conflicts.
Start Seeing Results Today
Ready to see the results you want in your organization and elevate your leadership to the next level? Need some help implementing effective leadership in your organization? Contact Revela Group today for tips and leadership mentoring.
About the Hosts
Andrea Fredrickson
Andrea Fredrickson is a thought leader and consultant at Revela, an organization based in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in the development of leaders, culture alignment, and business strategy for private and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. Andrea has built an amazing team by believing that fundamentally people want to be successful and become better versions of themselves.
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Andrea has degrees in education, management, and business. She is the author of Insight Unseen; How to lead with 20/20 business vision. She helps people see things differently, self-reflect, and never stop looking for ways to improve themselves on a personal and professional level. Andrea has spent more than 30 years researching and developing methods to help people communicate and lead more effectively.
When Andrea isn’t working with clients, you’ll find her spending time with her family & friends and making memories by exploring new cities.
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill is a master facilitator and coach at Revela, an organization specializing in the development of leaders and aligning the culture of privately held and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness.
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An ambitious leader, Michelle has the natural ability to create forward momentum to build teams and get results. She inspires others to look within themselves and to challenge the status quo. She helps create high-performing environments. Michelle brings a diverse background: operations, employee development, and sales in the steel, hospitality, and consulting industries.
Outside of work, you will see her competitive side engaged in her daughter’s sports and ISU athletics. She loves life, her four-legged companions, and captures all the moments through her camera’s lens.
TRANSCRIPT
Andrea Frederickson: In this episode of The Leadership Hustle, we'll talk about ways in which you can put emotional intelligence to action. Hello, and welcome to the Leadership Hustle for executives whose companies are growing fast and need leaders who are ready. So as we mentioned, this episode is about emotional intelligence. And for decades, so since the 80s, I've been talking about emotional intelligence. And you and I have had hundreds of conversations about emotional intelligence. And yet it's surprising to me, at least, the number of people like, really, what is EQ like? What is that? Are you finding the same thing?