Gone are the days when IQ and skills were the primary (or even only) factors when deciding whether to hire someone.
Now, most HR teams are paying closer attention to skills that can help determine success in a role, such as personal skills and traits that make a good leader, efficient employee, and good problem solver. To do the same, you need to know about the emotional intelligence (EQ).
What is EQ?
There is no ultimate definition for emotional intelligence as this is quite a vague term. In general, EQ is one’s ability to recognize and manage emotions as well as recognize and understand the emotions of other people. It has a lot to do with empathy and being on good terms with one’s self.
EQ is composed of four core skills:
- Self-awareness: recognizing their own emotions
- Self-management: controlling their own emotions and behavior
- Social awareness: understanding the emotions of other people
- Relationship management: efficiently interacting with other people
Though there are many EQ assessments that help managers identify employees and candidates with high EQ, but it’s also a matter of honest self-evaluation and the overall perception of a person. An experienced manager can detect a person with high EQ by carefully monitoring the team members and analyzing their behavior.
Emotional intelligence is among the core traits of any good leader – and every company needs efficient leadership. So what are the exact benefits that EQ brings?
Stress resistance
Unfortunately, stress is an inevitable part of any work process because something can go wrong at any time and may not necessarily depend on your or your team. And here is where people with high EQ save the day with their clear thinking.
During stressful moments, people with high EQ are able to assess the situation and not let the emotions take control of the situation. No need to say, such behavior prevents many mistakes and helps remedy the situation.
Better teamwork
Teamwork is the driving force behind a project’s success. For efficient teamwork, it is essential that all team members can communicate their thoughts and ideas in an understandable manner and listen to others.
People with high emotional intelligence are good listeners – and they are able to share their thoughts in a manner that others understand. Thus, such people are great team players or team leaders. In addition, they will be able to resolve conflicts and issues with colleagues and clients, when needed.
Open to feedback
We give feedback when we want someone to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, and improve the latter.
In the case of people with high EQ, the feedback process is completely hassle-free, since they tend to have healthy self-esteem and are already aware of most of their strengths and weaknesses. So when they hear a piece of advice from the outside, they are grateful instead of defensive.
Such an attitude helps them grow and master their skills and knowledge, which, in turn, will bring more profit to a company.
Inspire people
Because people with high EQ can read the emotions of others, they know the best ways to inspire people and make them listen.
The question of motivation is vital for any company. And it’s not always the employer’s task to motivate the employees – they tend to follow the example of others who can lead and inspire. Sounds like a perfect job for a person with high emotional intelligence, doesn’t it?
Better decision-making
We already mentioned the fact that people with high EQ tend to keep their cool in stressful situations. Individuals with high EQ can make good decisions in practically any situation as they can wisely assess the issue and come up with the best way to resolve it, considering all parties involved. High EQ employees can listen to other people, accept their point of view and come up with the best solution. This is incredibly beneficial for the company.
Independence and self-control
Teamwork is necessary, but it’s also important for someone to be able to work independently without any micro-managing.
Independent people who have self-control and self-motivation are highly valuable. They do not need babysitting and know when they really need to ask for help and when they can resolve an issue with no assistance.
Good leadership
Finally, the question of leadership.
People who can listen to others, make balanced decisions, and do not let emotions take control over their actions are perfect leaders – and this is a description of an emotionally intelligent person.
Such people tend to grow their skills and knowledge gradually and normally become the team leaders with the following promotion.
So one of the main goals for any company is to find and nurture such people because they will bring great value both in the short- and long-term run.
Needless to say, a person with a high EQ is a priceless asset for any team.
About the Author: Jocelyn Pick
