Emotional Intelligence – Understanding your Talented Employees

6 Feb, 2020

In the not so distant past, it was commonly believed that I.Q. was the strongest predictor of performance. The smarter the person, the higher the performer, right? Wrong. Although it’s true that your I.Q. can, for example, help you get into college, it’s your emotional intelligence that will help you manage your stress and emotions when tackling those final exams.

So exactly what is emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, use and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Those with high emotional intelligence are able to navigate the social complexities of the workplace, lead and motivate others, and excel in their careers.

As a healthcare leader, it’s important to recognize EQ in your team—and in yourself. Think about it—if you’re lacking in emotional intelligence, how will you be able to effectively gauge the needs, wants and expectations of your team? Erratic emotions can lead to a fearful, distrustful workplace and is a guaranteed way to kill a company’s culture. It’s critical to have a high level of self-awareness and understand how your behavior will affect not only morale but general feelings toward the company and its mission, as well.

Here are some great steps you can take to help build EQ within your team as shared on Forbes.com:

• Help employees learn to separate emotions from personality.
  Try this exercise: One leader puts a huge calendar on the wall, and team members marks the calendar with emojis signifying how they felt. Encouraging workers to say “I feel frustrated” rather than “I am frustrated” helps build emotional awareness.
• Make sure employees feel valued.
  When an employee has a voice, he or she feels more connected. Talk with workers often to find out how they feel about a change or project, giving them an opportunity to speak and feel listened to. Make it OK for them to tell you they feel angry, frustrated or apprehensive. Also show people you value them by saying thank you.
• Make feedback routine and fact-based.
  Giving (and receiving) negative and positive feedback helps everyone become a better employee. Questions are a great way to start. “How are you doing? What do you think?” If you’re giving negative feedback, don’t make it personal. Be open to hearing feedback from your team too. “If you were in my shoes, what would you change?” Be sure to control your reactions to what you hear. If you don’t like it, consider why, and pause before you respond.
• Make assertiveness training available to all employees.
  Explosive anger, resentment and frustration are often products of pent-up emotions

At Buckman Enochs Coss, we’re all about making the right connections at the right time. Whether you’re looking for your next exceptional healthcare executive—with high emotional intelligence—or you’re a candidate looking for that perfect fit, we’ve got you covered.