The Power of Emotional and Social Intelligence to Create Positive Workplaces

I find that there is scepticism when many people hear the term emotional intelligence or social intelligence. I beg to differ as I have personally found studying the science behind EQ and self-awareness invaluable throughout my career.

I often see highly competent technical skills being lauded and emotional intelligence being mocked. Here’s the thing from my point of view, you can invent the most fabulous device on the planet and still not succeed. A successful team and company need to be able to be self-aware of their impact on others, how their emotions interplay with their behaviour and then have strategies to control their response. Daniel Goleman introduced us to Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Social Awareness and Relationship Regulation and his work has been built on by others too.

If you cannot engage others, inspire others to be enthusiastic, curious and dedicated to supporting a vision then nothing moves! We talk about businesses working at the speed of trust (Stephen Covey), where if there is low trust the tax on the business can mean up to double the expense to get the same work. 

As humans we are driven by emotion, the research is clear that we start with an emotional response before our brain moves information through to the logical part of our brain. Fight, Flight or Freeze clouds our judgement and ability to make rational decisions and so we react rather than respond.

Emotional intelligence is the differentiator. If I walk into a business and there is tension, I feel it even before anyone has spoken. A team that is not connected creates disharmony and emits an ‘ick’ that speaks louder than any words they may say. 

When approaching Mid-Year Performance conversations, they will land and lead to better outcomes if we approach them with an open mind, curiosity and best intent to help someone move forward. We know the expense of losing people, rehiring, retraining and reforming cohesive teams. These discussions are what can set you and the business up for great success.

Listen before giving your own opinion, allow others to self-assess (we are often much harder on ourselves). Get curious, ask questions that give the other person the floor knowing that they are not being judged and that you are working with them, not against.

There are many self-assessments available to understand your strengths and opportunities in regard to emotional intelligence. The competencies measured align strongly with leadership capabilities and can help you and your team thrive. Studies show that many leaders are unaware of their impact on others and a strong correlation of people leaving organisations due to this very thing.

IF you’d like to know more please reach out. Kreating New Collaborations are accredited to administer both the Emotional Capital Report and GENOS report, both which assess your EQ and leadership competency. The reports can be done for individuals or as a 360 tool to get real impact on those around you.

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Mid-Year Performance Conversations coming up?

Performance appraisals can be harrowing for leaders and team members alike.  Kreating New Collaborations would like to invite you to reach out and learn about small bite Lunch’N’Learn, or Morning Boost  opportunities.  Set your team up for success learning delivered virtually or in person. 

Learning Bites include:

• Effective Feedback – using our BICK model to drive 2-way focused interactions

• Setting Goals – setting goals that motivate, reward outcomes and energise

• Succession Planning -  identifying future leaders and setting them up for success and growth

• Influential Communication – influence outcome by gaining buy-in and enthusiasm to create accountability and best outcomes

• Building Resilience and Avoiding Overwhelm – helping teams keep energised, focused and in control

• The power of emotional and social intelligence to create positive workplaces