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As more studies show that emotional intelligence improves employee productivity and job performance, it becomes a more coveted skill in the office. 

Emotional intelligence is when you can understand the emotions of yourself and others and manage your feelings well. Undoubtedly, it shows a healthy balance between intelligence and self-awareness. 

Emotional intelligence is an important asset. Studies have shown that emotional intelligence training improves employee productivity. However, that may be because emotional intelligence reflects an ability to make better decisions, problem-solving skills, and being a great communicator. 

Typically, emotionally intelligent people can come up with solutions from a holistic perspective.  

Emotional intelligence is rated into four categories: 

1. Self-management. You can not think clearly when you feel stressed, anxious, or angry. Self-management indicates separating yourself and how you should act from your emotions. 
    

2. Self-awareness. Self-awareness helps your ability to change negative habits, thoughts, or behavior. When you have a high level of self-awareness, you can recognize how your beliefs and emotions affect your thoughts and behavior. 
    

3. Social awareness. Social awareness is your ability to “read the room.” You can understand what others need to feel comfortable and see social dynamics at play. Similarly, social awareness indicates how well you pick up on social cues or needs. 
    

4. Relationship management. You manage conflict well, work well with others, and develop positive relationships. Equally, relational management indicates good interpersonal skills. 

Are you interested in improving your emotional awareness to excel at work? 

Follow these tips to build emotional intelligence:  

1. Practice self-awareness. Self-awareness reflects your ability to look at yourself objectively. To develop this: 
    

• Practice self-reflection in a daily journal noting your patterns. 
• Notice when you react to something on autopilot.  
• Think about the feedback you receive and how you responds. 
• Apply seeing things from other people’s points of view, and not just yours. 
   

2. Receive criticism with grace. Think before you react to criticism. Still, use criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow. 
    

3. See conflict as an opportunity to learn and understand more about others. Conflict can be frustrating, but it is inevitable. Instead of avoiding it, take conflict as an opportunity to understand where another person is coming from. 
    

4. Learn to “read the room.” How well do you pick up on the feelings of people around you? Do you know who to go to when you need a solution? What “unwritten rules” do people follow at your workplace? Being able to read the room can position you as a superstar or change maker at your organization.  

5. Listen to others. People with high emotional intelligence are great listeners. Are you doing all the talking, or are you also making space to listen? Try to listen in meetings and try to ask people what they think. 
    

6. Speak up and express yourself. In addition to excellent listening skills, emotionally intelligent people are great at speaking up when it matters. Do not be afraid to pitch your out-of-the-box ideas or ensure your opinions are heard! 
    

7. Work to people’s strengths. People work differently and have different strengths to work with. Therefore, be flexible to the different types of people who make up your team. Likewise, create an environment for each person to thrive and be engaged and innovative. 

People with higher emotional intelligence have an easier time managing their stress levels, building better relationships, and reading the room. 

• Prowess managing your stress levels means you can calmly lead a team through high-stress situations. 
   

• Building better relationships can help keep your team members engaged and motivated. 
   
• Specifically, being able to read the room can help you know the right person to approach when you are tackling a problem or act when you notice a colleague feeling stressed.  

Developing emotional intelligence will benefit you outside of work. Wouldn’t life be great with effortless stress management, better relationships, and being able to “read the room”?