• Assess your own empathy levels and learn ways to improve emotional intelligence at work

Emotional Intelligence in Professional Settings

Emotional Intelligence (EI), often measured in terms of empathy, self-awareness, and social skills, is crucial in navigating workplace dynamics and building professional relationships. It involves the ability to understand your own emotions and those of others, and to use this awareness to adjust your behavior and navigate relationships more effectively.

Personal Levels of Empathy

To start enhancing your EI, the first step is to evaluate your current level of empathy. Empathy involves understanding others’ feelings and perspectives, and using that understanding to guide your actions. Here’s a simple exercise to assess your empathy:

1. Reflect on Interactions: Think about recent conversations with friends or colleagues. Were you attentive to their feelings and perspectives? Did you consider what they might be feeling before responding?
2. Seek Feedback: Ask close associates or mentors about how they perceive your empathy and emotional responses. This can provide insights into areas you may not notice yourself.
3. Self-Assessment Tools: Online quizzes or tools can help you get a baseline of your empathy levels. While not definitive, they can be a useful starting point.

Try out an online assessment tool:

• Empathy Quotient (developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and his team at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge)
• Empathy Quiz (developed by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley)

Developing Emotional Intelligence

Once you understand your current level of empathy, you can begin to work on enhancing your EI. Here are some strategies that you can use in workplace settings:

1. Active Listening: Practice active listening by focusing entirely on the speaker, acknowledging their feelings, and responding thoughtfully. This builds trust and shows respect for diverse viewpoints.

2. Self-Management: Work on managing your emotions, especially in stressful or unfamiliar situations. Recognizing your emotional triggers and learning to calm yourself can help you respond more effectively in the workplace.

3. Observe Social Interactions: Pay close attention to the interactions around you, whether you are directly involved or not. Notice the body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions of others. Observing how people respond to different situations and each other can give you valuable insights into social dynamics and emotional states.

4. Perspective-Taking: Try to see situations from others’ points of view, especially from those of different cultural or professional backgrounds. This can be particularly enlightening in diverse environments and can prevent misunderstandings.

5. Build Relationship Skills: Develop your skills in managing relationships, navigating social networks, and building rapport. These skills are essential for successful teamwork and leadership.

6. Seek Out Diverse Perspectives: Expose yourself to a variety of cultural and social backgrounds by interacting with people from different walks of life. This exposure can broaden your understanding of how social norms and values vary between groups, which is critical in developing social awareness.

7. Volunteer for Group Projects: Engaging in teamwork, especially in roles that require coordination and cooperation, can improve your ability to read social cues and adapt to group dynamics. It also helps you learn how to balance differing opinions and work towards a common goal.

8. Ask for Feedback: Sometimes, understanding how others view your social interactions can provide you with insights that are not apparent from your perspective. Feedback from peers, mentors, or supervisors can help you identify areas for improvement in how you relate socially.

9. Reflect on Your Interactions: Regularly reflect on your social interactions. Think about what went well and what could be improved. Reflection helps you become more conscious of your social skills and guides your efforts to develop them.

You can view the transcript for “What Is Emotional Intelligence? | Business: Explained” here (opens in new window).