Emotional Intelligence at Work
I have been on a roll lately and really enjoying the writing prompts from the Thrive Global Community. They have mixed it up and introduced what I would call "quick quotes" which throws out a topic and your response should be 300 words or less. It's tougher than it sounds but has been a refreshing break from the longer form posts I have been writing over the past few years.
So here is this week's challenge...
Emotional intelligence has always been important in the workplace, but now that the pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we do our jobs and communicate with others, exercising it is more important than ever to our success and well-being at work and beyond. Research has shown that the ability to be self-aware about our own strengths and challenges, interpret others’ emotions and react with empathy can make us better leaders, smarter problem solvers, and achieve more success.
Today, I’d love to hear about one example of emotional intelligence at work that you’ve experienced during the pandemic.
Has there been a specific team member or manager who has been checking in on you, or reminding you to take breaks on especially busy days? Is there someone who has gone out of their way to express their gratitude for you? Has a leader mindfully decreased the number of Zoom meetings everyone is required to attend? Has your company implemented new policies that are helping to support working parents or caretakers? Tell us about the different ways you’ve seen emotional intelligence at play in your work during this time.
- Marina Khidekel, Head of Content Development, Thrive Global
What would YOUR example of Emotional Intelligence at Work Be?
I am fortunate to work for a company and with people every day that genuinely care for, and appreciate each other. It was a challenge for me to come up with just one example but isn't that the fun of the exercise? Here we go...
Emotional Intelligence is one of those things which is tough to define. It’s like searching for that perfect gift for a person in your life who is hard to buy for….you are not sure exactly what you are looking for…but you’ll know it when you see it!
For me, even with all the zoom fatigue, our leader in the Americas set up a bi-weekly Virtual Happy Hour with our team to check in with each other and how our teams were doing. I know a lot of companies and leaders have done similar things so just setting one up isn’t what made it unique – it is that we leaned in to really listen to how we were all doing.
For example, as the country grappled with the events surrounding George Floyds death we talked openly and candidly about how we were feeling…racial injustice... and what it meant to us personally and professionally. It was refreshing and inspiring to be able to talk openly about our feelings and get different points of view given our isolation from one another. I was in awe of everyone’s willingness to share… and happy hour is just the right place to do it – don’t you think? #YOUmakeadifference
In Closing...
Sometimes it is the Microsteps we take that give us the inspiration we need to keep going in these unusual times. It gives us a chance to meet other people that can motivate us and humble us in unexpected ways. We also need to ask more questions and pause to listen to those around us. For example, in the happy hour I mentioned above, one of our colleagues shared a piece that a life long friend of his had written about his experience on race. I encourage you to read Ed Robinson's post "A Letter to My White Friends" - I promise it is worth your time. It also reinforces that practicing emotional intelligence at work is important. Important that you make time for it...important that it be genuine...important that you not just be a spectator and that you lead by example.
Leadership Questions of the Week for YOU:
Are YOU up to taking the writing challenge? What is YOUR 300 word or less submission.
How important has emotional intelligence been to YOU during the pandemic?
What steps have YOU taken with your team or best practices you've seen displayed to encourage Emotional Intelligence at work?
Do you agree that it is about taking microsteps and not necessarily a big initiative or program?
Thanks for reading and remember....YOU make a difference!
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