There is one skill almost all general managers across every industry are looking for. And yet this skill is rarely developed or accentuated by employees. The not-so-magic ingredient to your next promotion is emotional intelligence. A high Emotional Quotient (EQ) is all about dealing with your own and other people’s emotions in a controlled way. It means you can identify your own emotions and control your emotions and behaviour. It also means you recognise other people’s emotions and behave with sensitivity and empathy
All jobs require interacting with other people. Whether they are co-workers, clients or the general public. Being able to interact with people in a professional way is the basis of productive working relationships. Emotional intelligence is a skill we all poses at different levels, and like any skill, we can work to improve it.
Technical skills are important to any role. But in competitive fields, where there is no shortage of people, the priorities of management shifts. So to make hiring decisions managers review prospective employees in a broader context. Have you ever been asked to complete a personality test as part of an application? In an interview has the panel asked you how you would be a cultural fit within the company? This holistic approach to hiring means having technical skills isn’t enough any more. After all, they aren’t hiring a set of skills they are hiring a whole person. They need to know if that person will fit in with their business.
Working Relationships
Businesses are complicated interpersonal environments. Studies have found on average after spending 90 hours with a person we consider them a friend. However, these findings don’t apply to our co-workers. This is because our work is a closed-system. We don’t have any control over who we work with. The professional environment and rigid structure of authority make it an unnatural place to socialise in. These factors make it more difficult to develop relationships with our coworkers. They prevent us from becoming more than polite acquaintances without extra effort.
Being able to fit into a new role can be difficult but moving up within your current company is even harder. You have established relationships with all the people around you. And when you are promoted your level of authority changes. With that so do all your relationships. High EQ means you can navigate these interpersonal issues with ease.
How to Raise Your EQ
The relationships you have with your coworkers and the way you all work together is important. Managers dealing with hiring and promotions want to know you’ll fit in with everyone else. They want to know you’ll positively add to the workplace and not create tension or hostility. We all put our foot in our mouth occasionally, high EQ doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes. Emotional intelligence makes us more aware. We can it avoid making those mistakes, we also realise when we have and how to make it up to someone. Emotional intelligence is made up of a range of different skills, you’ll need to work on all of them to increase your EQ. Here are the key three skills to focus on:
- Self-awareness – check in with yourself. Know how you’re feeling and how you’re projecting to other people. Be aware of your body language and tone. It’s not about feeling happy all the time. It’s about understanding yourself and not taking it out on others when you don’t feel 100%.
- Presence – keep focused and in the moment. Avoid distractions and set goals for yourself to stay present and motivated. Be attentive and listen actively to your coworkers. Stay grounded when there is conflict and work towards a resolution.
- Empathy – try to see things from another person’s point of view. Be patient and understanding of others. Learn to take criticism and understand they are trying to help you. Listen and improve rather than feeling offended.
Using Emotional Intelligence To Get The Job
High emotional intelligence is a key trait every manager is looking for when hiring and promoting people. Displaying your high EQ isn’t as easy as adding the skill to your resume. Emotional intelligence is apparent in everything you do. There isn’t a trick it, you can only improve it with hard work. But it’s worth it. It is a life skill that can bring you success at work and beyond.
If you’re looking for some help improving your EQ or deciding on your next career move we can help. Did you know Selection Criteria Writers also offers career counselling? Career counselling can effectively test and determine your strengths and weaknesses. Your career counsellor can help you set goals and improve your skills to enhance your career. They provide invaluable knowledge for a successful future. Seeking advice from a qualified career coach can more than double your chances of landing a job. So contact us today and see how a career counsellor can help you get where you want to go.