EQ or Emotional Quotient/Emotional Intelligence is not a topic we think much about. We may not appreciate someone with good emotional intelligence in our daily interactions, but we immediately notice whenever it is absent. Some of the greatest thought leaders around the world have stressed on the importance of emotional quotient for a productive and stress-free work environment. Our society, for a long time had been conditioned to value Intelligence Quotient above every other quality. But, with the changing market, people have realized that a leader who is emotionally well connected, achieve greater success in managing the organization.

Let us get a deeper understanding of emotional intelligence:

What exactly is EQ?:

According to famous American psychologist Howard Gardner, “Your EQ is the level of your ability to understand other people, what motivates them, and how to work cooperatively with them.” In an average person’s life, not a single day goes by without some sort of interaction. The perception in other people’s mind about you are formed by your behaviour around them. Therefore, some people consider the emotional quotient to be more important than the intelligence quotient for attaining success in their careers and lives.

Characteristics of people with high EQ:

• Self-awareness
• Empathy
• Balanced
• Kind
• Curious
• Changemakers
• Good social skills

How to improve your EQ?:

While the intelligence quotient is hard to change, the emotional quotient can be changed easily, with proper training and practice.

Some tips to improve your EQ are:

• Build relationships – Since the majority of organizations are designed around departments and teams, interpersonal skills are very important. Build a relationship of trust between your peers, superiors, and clients.
• Effective communication – Your oral, written, and non-verbal communication is an indication of who you are as a person. You cannot mask your flaws forever, so instead try to improve yourself.
• Conflict management – Conflicts are bound to happen in any organization, your response towards it is what matters. Be non-judgmental but assertive and resolve issues peacefully.
• Stress management – Stress if remained unchecked, can affect your sense of judgment. A bit of humour during work is a great way to relieve it.

The need for EQ in the workplace:

From rude bosses to doctors with a lack of empathy and regard for emotional intelligence can make people interacting with them uncomfortable. The absence of EQ can also negatively impact your day-to-day productivity and it is most often the factor which makes the difference between a good day and a bad day. Workers with high emotional quotients are good in teamwork, can better adjust in a new environment, and are flexible to changes.

In conclusion, no matter how qualified a person is on paper, if he or she cannot manage emotions then his or her chances to succeed is very less. As the workplace continues to evolve, with new technologies and different innovations, emotional intelligence can become increasingly important.