We talk a lot about intelligence and book smarts. But there’s more to intelligence than just knowing facts and having good business acumen.
You also need to have emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is important because it helps us recognize our own emotions and relate to others’ emotions.
As a business leader, it’s important to develop emotional intelligence. It will help you manage others better, as well as help you connect with customers and potential business partners.
As you strive to become the best you can be, it’s important to develop emotional intelligence. Here are some of the signs that you need to work to improve your level of emotional intelligence:
1. You Hold Grudges
I know people who are champion grudge-holders. However, this doesn’t make them happier in any way. In fact, they are more likely to be stressed and anxious because they are concentrating on the negative.
If you want to be emotionally intelligent, you need to learn how to let go of grudges.
2. You Don’t Move On From Your Mistakes
No one likes to make mistakes. But those with high emotional intelligence know that they can learn from the mistakes. Rather than holding on to mistakes and letting that hold you back, try a new approach.
Acknowledge the mistake. Find the lesson. Then move on, applying what you learned. Use mistakes as ways to improve, rather than stumbling blocks holding you back.
3. Other People are at Fault for Your Feelings
Do you play the blame game when it comes to your emotions? Yes, other people can do things that prompt a negative feeling. However, you can’t let that hold you hostage. Develop emotional intelligence to take control of your feelings and your reactions to events.
4. You Get Offended Easily
Along with blaming others for your feelings, getting offended easily is another sign you need to work on your emotional intelligence.
In many cases, people aren’t trying to offend you or hurt your feelings. Develop open-mindedness and a thick skin, and you will be more confident and less offended by those around you.
5. You Hide All Your Feelings
Being in control of your feelings is not the same as hiding them. In fact, if you hide your feelings to the point where it’s hard to tell if you’re angry or sad, that shows a lack of emotional intelligence.
It’s about acknowledging and managing your feelings in ways that are healthy, rather than smothering them or hiding them. Learn healthy coping techniques to avoid letting your emotions rule you.
6. Everyone Misunderstands You
Do you feel like no one understands you? Part of the reason might be because you don’t know how to tell your message in a way that others understand.
While it’s impossible to communicate with others perfectly all the time, you have a better chance if you develop emotional intelligence. You need to be able to articulate your feelings and ideas.
7. You Defend Your Assumptions Without Consideration
If you find yourself making assumptions quickly, and then defending those assumptions without consideration, you might need to work on your emotional intelligence.
We all make snap judgments, but it’s important to take a step back and reconsider. You don’t want to make a judgment and then look only at evidence that confirms it. Keep an open mind and being willing to change your opinion when other facts present themselves.
It’s important to develop emotional intelligence so that you are prepared to be a better business leader. Looking for more practical advice. Here is a great guide to the future of work that should help you.
