Emotional intelligence is an essential and common trait in leaders.
It improves your ability to be decisive, make clear-headed good decisions, and build positive and good quality relationships.
But how does emotional intelligence looks like in real life? We learn from Inc.com some of the common phrases that people such high intelligence avoid using.
I told you so
You may have highlighted a forthcoming issue but was ignored, and now, an undesirable consequence has happened.
Now, you may feel like reminding your colleagues that you pointed it out first – but, what good will it do now?
To enhance the situation, you may wish to show your concern, empathise with your colleagues, and suggestion solutions to correct the error.
By doing so, this may impact them and allow them to be more willing to listen to you moving forward.
Who cares?
During busy times, we may not wish to be bothered with other work issues or other colleague’s problems. We may even feel the urge to say “who cares?”.
Though the problem is not of importance to you, it is significant to them. By saying that, it may make your colleague feel demeaned.
Instead, try to listen and offer up help to let them know you are dependable. Next time, in times of need, they might return the favour to you.
Not my fault
The blame game is nobody’s favourite, and there is usually no winner.
When there is a mistake, focus on the solution and not the person.
When the focus is on the solution, it creates a safe space to highlight issues without feeling like you are blaming someone and prevent colleagues from hiding or covering them up.
Not my job
In large companies, employees are hired to do a specific job scope. And when work comes along that is outside of their responsibility, they might be not keen to take it on.
Highly emotionally intelligent people will not see it that way and will take the opportunity to give insights or take on the work to learn something new.
By expanding your work, you can get new perspectives, and show that you are dependable and affirm your commitment to the company.
Do it like this
As they say, all roads lead to Rome. For every assignment, there can be different ways of completing it, and nobody likes to be micro-managed.
Emotionally intelligent leaders manage their people by giving them the freedom to explore ideas and try new methods as long as the end goal is reached.
By resisting the urge to take over the job or dish out commands, you can give employees a chance at a teaching moment and coach and guide them to accomplishing the work.
Main image from Pexels
