In its simple form, Emotional Intelligence (EI) is nothing but your ability to clearly assess, perceive, and manage your own and other’s emotions and feelings, differentiate them, and use this information to guide your thinking and actions. It is a subset of social intelligence. Emotional intelligence or Emotional Quotient (EQ) is being given more importance today than the more popular Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
People having a high EQ are more approachable, can easily relate to others, be open-minded, and hence, easier & fun to work with, both, in a team setting and individual environment. They are more likable, trustworthy, and self-confident than those with a low EQ. It is no surprise that many companies now take EQ tests of candidates before hiring.
So, do you now feel like knowing your emotional intelligence score? You can practice the following techniques to improve your EQ score:
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Understand other’s point of view: Empathize with others once you appraise your own emotions. This is important in a group setting where ideas and thoughts are constantly being exchanged such as a workplace or a committee. Put yourself in other’s place, imagine what they are thinking & feeling, and listen attentively. You will get a broad viewpoint and stretch your perspective.
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Be aware of and tune into your own emotions: The most important step is to become self-aware because if you want to control your emotions, you must be aware of them!
- Acknowledge and examine your emotions.
- Assess the trigger and activation points of your emotions.
- An excellent way is to practice Mindfulness.
It is only after you become aware of your emotions that you tend to become aware of other’s emotions.
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Practice emotional management: You should also understand how to keep your emotions in balance and keep a check on them. Some ways of doing that are:
- Until you are more composed, divert your attention.
- Stop and take time to understand & process what is transpiring.
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Look at the bigger picture and understand the importance of immediate emotional reaction to the overall issue.
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Re-frame the experience; look at it from a different angle, from a different perspective.
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Develop interpersonal connections: This is a huge part of EQ. No matter how introvert or shy you are, develop connections with others by showing interest, listening to them, and making them comfortable. Talk to them about topics they will be interested to discuss, there is no shortcut in building valuable connections.
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Effective communication: You will need verbal as well as non-verbal skills to communicate effectively with others as it is more than just an exchange of information. You also have to understand the intentions and emotions behind the information exchanged. The way a message is conveyed with an intention, the same way it should be received; a mutual back and forth. Non-verbal skills will include making eye contact, engaged listening, proper body language like gestures, facial expressions, and standing at an appropriate distance.
Improving your EQ will not just enhance your possibilities of success in life and career, but also strengthen your relationships with others in both, professional and personal space.