Emotional intelligence (EI), a term first popularised by Daniel Goleman in the 1990’s, is an essential skill in the workplace.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about emotional intelligence at work. From understanding its core principles to learning actionable strategies for improvement, you’ll discover how EI can unlock your potential and reshape your workplace culture.
What is emotional intelligence?
There are multiple definitions of emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ. The common theme across all these definitions is that emotional intelligence involves using emotions in an intelligent and meaningful way.
One popular definition, derived from the EQ-i 2.0 model of emotional intelligence, refers to EI as a set of emotional and social skills that collectively establish how well you perceive and express yourself, develop relationships, cope with challenges and use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way.
It’s not purely about emotions and being overly emotional. This idea is summarised well by emotional intelligence expert, and co-author of the MSCEIT 2, David Caruso, who once said:
‘It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head – it is the unique intersection of both.’
Why Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Workplace Success
Research shows the many benefits of emotional intelligence in the workplace, including:
Improved job performance & job satisfaction – People with higher levels of EI are more likely to perform better in their role, leading to increased job satisfaction.
Effective leadership skills – Research shows that emotional intelligence predicted high performance as a leader 80% of the time and has consistently been linked to effective, transformational leadership styles.
Enhanced team work and collaboration – Emotional intelligence is associated with better communication, relationships and cooperation between team members.
Higher levels of wellbeing & resilience – Studies indicate that emotionally intelligent individuals are better able to cope with stress, change and the cognitive, emotional and physical demands of their jobs.
Increased staff retention and reduced employee turnover – When measured within recruitment and selection processes, emotional intelligence can improve retention rates and predict candidate suitability.
Download our Introduction to Emotional Intelligence Brochure to learn more about EI and its importance in the workplace.
Signs of emotional intelligence at work
How can you spot whether you, or your colleagues, are emotionally intelligent? Here are just a few signs to look out for:
Individuals with LOW emotional intelligence… | Individuals with HIGH emotional intelligence… |
Ignore their emotions and are unaware of how they impact their work and decisions | Are aware of their emotions and how they impact the people around them |
Focus on themselves and lack sensitivity towards others | Actively listen to other people’s problems and consider their feelings |
Engage in transactional relationships where necessary | Build long-lasting, meaningful relationships across the organisation |
Let people know what they think or feel, without considering how this comes across | Communicate their thoughts and opinions in a constructive and respectful way |
Allow emotions to cloud their judgement and decision making | Make balanced and considered decisions, without being swayed by their emotions |
Struggle to cope under pressure and resist change | Adapt well to organisational change and stressful circumstances |
Become overwhelmed in emotional situations and respond rashly | Remain calm and composed in emotionally charged situations |
Learn more about emotionally intelligent behaviours by watching ‘Developing Emotional Intelligence’ – part of the EQ Extra series.
How to develop your workplace EQ
If the signs of low emotional intelligence above resonate with you, or you simply want to build on your existing skills, try the following to start developing your emotional intelligence today:
Increase your emotional self-awareness
Often considered the cornerstone of emotional intelligence, being aware of your emotions is the first step towards being able to manage them. To begin developing your emotional self-awareness, you need to take the time to consciously reflect about how you are feeling. Set regular times throughout the day to make a note of the emotions you are experiencing. This will help you become more attuned to how you feel at work, and will eventually become an automatic process.
Practice active listening
Active listening is a key workplace skill that improves communication and helps you to better understand other people’s feelings and perspectives. Next time you are in a conversation with a colleague, practice listening to them without interrupting or thinking about your response. When they have finished, summarise what you have heard to check your understanding. This leaves the person feeling respected and acknowledged; and ensures you have a clear understanding of the situation.
Learn effective stress management strategies
Emotionally intelligent individuals are often better at coping with stressful and emotionally charged situations. So, learning to manage your stress is a useful way of developing your emotional intelligence. Consider techniques such as taking regular breaks from your work, practicing mindfulness, exercising and talking to others about how you are feeling.
EQ Tools for Professionals and Organisations
There are a number of tools available to help assess and develop emotional intelligence in the workplace. Here are just 3 to get you started:
EQ-i 2.0 & EQ 360 emotional intelligence assessments
The EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Quotient Inventory) is the world's most popular emotional intelligence assessment, and measures how often an individual displays different emotional and social skills in the workplace.
This scientifically-validated assessment is supported by years of research and can be used within organisations for leadership development, team building, coaching and recruitment.
The EQ 360 is a 360-degree emotional intelligence assessment. This questionnaire provides a deeper level of insight into an individual's emotional intelligence, by gathering information from their manager, colleagues and direct reports.
EQ Extra
EQ Extra is a series of animated videos exploring the different areas of emotional intelligence and offering practical strategies for development. These videos are an ideal resource for individuals and organisations to understand and develop emotional intelligence in the workplace.
Emotional Intelligence Books
You can also learn more about emotional intelligence, its importance in the workplace and how it can be developed by reading books authored by emotional intelligence experts. Here are just a few examples:
The EQ Edge by Steven Stein & Howard Book
The Emotionally Intelligent Manager by David Caruso & Peter Salovey
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Emotional Intelligence for Dummies by Steven Stein
How to create an emotionally intelligent workforce
While emotional intelligence development is important at an individual level, organisations can help to build an EQ-focused environment across the entire workplace by:
Building an understanding and awareness of EI
To foster an emotionally intelligent culture within the workplace, people need to first understand what emotional intelligence is and why it is important to their roles. To do this, you could:
Use emotional intelligence assessments, such as the EQ-i 2.0 or MSCEIT 2, to raise individuals’ awareness of the relevant behaviours.
Run workshops introducing the concept of emotional intelligence to the rest of the organisation.
Highlight where emotionally intelligent behaviours relate to your organisation’s values and competencies, showing people how emotional intelligence is relevant in their day to day roles.
Providing regular training, support and check ins to facilitate development
Development does not happen overnight. To see long-lasting change, organisations need to invest in ongoing emotional intelligence development, such as:
Regular EQ training sessions throughout the year where teams can discuss development strategies and set specific, actionable goals
1-2-1 sessions where individuals discuss progress towards their emotional intelligence goals, encouraging accountability
Resources such as EQ Extra which can be used by employees for personal development over time
Implementing interventions across all levels of the organisation
Emotional intelligence is important for all employees within an organisation and should be prioritised for all employees, regardless of their job level. To promote emotionally intelligent behaviours across the organisation, you could:
Start by developing leaders who can foster an emotionally intelligent culture within their teams and lead by example
Offer online courses, such as EQ Extra, to all employees as a cost-effective development resource
Introduce emotional intelligence during your recruitment and onboarding process so that new employees form good habits as soon as they join
Whether you are looking to develop emotional intelligence as an individual, or across an entire organisation, consider using tools such as EQ Extra and the EQ-i 2.0 assessment to enhance emotional intelligence at work and increase your chances of success.
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