An interesting thing is happening in the 21st-century workplace: The more technology we have in this digital age, the more we automate tasks and trust machines to take over duties, the more we realize the importance of emotions. 

Yes, emotions, and more specifically emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is our ability to recognize emotions in ourselves and others, to understand their effect, and to use that knowledge to guide our thoughts and behaviors. Because emotionally intelligent people tend to get along better with others and be more empathetic and compassionate, they are likely to be more successful compared to their counterparts. And that makes emotional intelligence something worth learning more about.

Self-awareness

When we’re self-aware, we know our strengths and weaknesses, as well as how we react to situations and people.

Self-regulation

Because they are self-aware, emotionally intelligent people can regulate their emotions and keep them in check as necessary.

Motivation

People with high emotional intelligence tend to be highly motivated as well, which makes them more resilient and optimistic.

Empathy

People with empathy and compassion are simply better at connecting with other people.

Social Skills

The social skills of emotionally intelligent people show they genuinely care for, and respect others and they get along well with them.

Just because you walk through the door and into an office building does not mean you check your emotions at that door before starting work, although it used to seem that way. Emotions have always been in the workplace, but they were to be kept in check, with people pretending not to feel while they were on the clock.

These days, however, we are allowing emotions at work and recognizing the benefits of doing so. And emotional intelligence matters more than it used to because the workplace has changed. Today we work largely in teams, not isolation, for one thing, and savvy companies are realizing that recognizing emotions can exist lead to healthier environments. This doesn’t mean it’s an emotional free-for-all by any means, but it does mean people are more likely to be aware of their own and others’ emotions and act accordingly. People with higher emotional intelligence are also more adaptable to change—a must in our fast-changing digital age. In addition, leaders with higher emotional intelligence tend to have happier employees who then stay longer, reducing the costs of attrition, and try harder, increasing productivity.

Team Versuasion Pakistan – Fareeha Robert