Emotional intelligence is a topic that isn’t discussed enough in relation to the workplace. Many of us quickly buckle down and grind out our work while neglecting our emotional health and how our mental state may affect others. Those in upper management and leadership positions have a unique responsibility to stay in tune with both themselves and their team members.
Check Your Emotional IQ
A team thrives best under a leader who understands the needs of its members, but how does that play out in the day-to-day office setting? If you’re aspiring to an upper management role, here are a few self-examination starting points.
1. Are You Empathetic?
A huge part of managing a team is relating to your team members. Reading the room and knowing when your team needs extra help or encouragement is crucial. Without empathy, team members may struggle to reach out when they need assistance or may hesitate to ask clarifying questions. Don’t hold back on relatability, even when it feels unnatural.
2. How’s Your Self-Awareness?
Even the most competent leaders make mistakes. Recognizing when you’ve made one and owning up to it sets a great example for your team. Knowing your weaknesses and tendencies helps predict and avoid possible downfalls. When possible, discuss and reflect upon any setbacks with the team to encourage openness among coworkers.
3. Would You Say You’re Adaptable?
If you’re too rigid in your thinking and stuck in certain patterns, team members may feel they can’t express ideas or provide feedback. The best leaders are open to changing rhythms and processes to allow creativity to flow freely in a team dynamic. Adaptability is a great way to show your team members that you value their input and ideas.
You may meet all the professional qualifications for a leadership role, but checking in on your emotional intelligence and people skills is just as vital for long-term success. Your future team will thank you for doing the self-work to lead them to victory in any scenario!
