{"id":19228,"date":"2025-07-14T08:55:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T12:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=19228"},"modified":"2025-07-14T08:55:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T12:55:53","slug":"emotional-intelligence-in-the-workplace-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=19228","title":{"rendered":"Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you think of upskilling \u2014 learning new skills \u2014 at work, what comes to mind? Perhaps learning new software or working toward a certification or degree. There\u2019s no question that many in-demand skills are technical in nature, but there\u2019s also a critical need for what are sometimes described as \u201csoft\u201d skills, particularly strong emotional intelligence (EI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EI allows us to build and maintain relationships and influence others \u2014 important skills no matter your position and area of work \u2014 and research has found people with greater EI tend to be more innovative and have higher job satisfaction than those with lower EI. Utilizing emotional intelligence in the workplace can enhance decision-making and social interactions, and improve your ability to cope with change and stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that, like technical skills, soft skills such as EI can also be learned and improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Intelligence: What It Is<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To strengthen your emotional intelligence, it\u2019s important to know what it entails. Most definitions of EI include the following components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Perception and expression of emotion<\/strong> \u2014 Noticing your own emotions and picking up on the emotions of others, as well as the ability to distinguish between discrete emotions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Using emotion to facilitate thought<\/strong> \u2014 How you incorporate emotions into your thinking processes and understand when and how emotions can be helpful for reasoning processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Understanding and analyzing emotions<\/strong> \u2014The capacity to decode emotions, make sense of their meaning, and understand how they relate to each other and change over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Reflective regulation of emotion<\/strong> \u2014An openness to all emotions and the ability to regulate your own emotions and the emotions of others to facilitate growth and insight.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Measuring Your Emotional Intelligence Skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Do you find you relate to either of these statements?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI want to improve my EI skills, but don\u2019t know where to start.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI already have strong emotional intelligence skills. This isn\u2019t an area I need to work on.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As with any skill, we all have varying levels of aptitude for EI and may feel overwhelmed about where to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One interesting study found that 95% of participants gave themselves high marks in self-awareness. However, using more empirical measures of self-awareness, the study found that only 10-15% of the cohort demonstrated true self-awareness. Consider the following characteristics typical of people with higher and lower EI skillsets as one way to better gauge your skillset:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Potential indicators of higher EI:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n