Robbins Research: Why ask how to improve emotional intelligence?
Emotional agility is one of the strongest indicators of success in business and life. Forbes reports that, according to a study of more than 358 managers, the highest-performing managers scored high on emotional intelligence – significantly higher than their lower-performing cohort. Managers high in emotional aptitude also demonstrated competencies including skillful leadership, self-confidence and the ability to win and influence others. Interestingly enough, the winning managers received high scores from their peers and supervisors, but not from their subordinates. Despite having the appearance of emotional intelligence in the company of peers, the managers’ EQ was not apparent to subordinates.
What is the lesson for improving emotional intelligence? Having your peers praise your EQ doesn’t necessarily mean you’re demonstrating genuine sensitivity to everyone around you. To truly demonstrate emotional intelligence, treat your entire team as you’d treat your superiors. Mastering how to improve your emotional intelligence trickles down to your entire team.
HOW TO IMPROVE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Learning how to improve emotional intelligence is a matter of mindset. To truly develop a skill set in improving emotional intelligence, you must transform your outlook so you’re in control of your thoughts and feelings. To get started, follow Tony’s exercises to improve emotional intelligence: the 6 Steps to Emotional Mastery.
1. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU’RE REALLY FEELING
Dig deep and ask yourself what you’re really feeling. Practicing mindfulness is a proven way to gain perspective on your feelings so you’re able to manage negative emotions and harness positive ones. As you develop an awareness of your feelings, you’re able to pay closer attention to how you’re talking to yourself and others. When you’re mindful of the words you use, you develop empathy for others, which strengthens your relationships and helps you build new ones. As your emotional sharpness increases, you become more resilient to challenges. Rather than feeling overcome by adversity, you’re able to learn from it and bounce back.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE YOUR EMOTIONS
Your emotions are never wrong. They are there to support you, so be honest about how you feel. When you learn to validate your own feelings, you’re better able to validate others’ emotions, which is a key component of practicing empathy.
3. GET CURIOUS ABOUT THE MESSAGE THIS EMOTION OFFERS
Approaching your feelings with an attitude of curiosity lets you interrupt your current emotional trajectory to solve whatever’s bothering you. When you’re open to your feelings, you’re better able to understand your own (and others’) thinking and reasoning.
4. GET CONFIDENT
To gain confidence in mastering your emotions, think of another time you’ve successfully handled a similar feeling. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again. By developing confidence in previous successes, you’re able to navigate uncertain terrain with certainty.
5. FEEL CERTAIN YOU CAN FACE THE FUTURE
To prepare for facing your feelings in the future, rehearse how you’d like to handle difficult emotions. Use your previous successes as a resource for improving emotional intelligence. By being prepared, you cement your feelings of self-efficacy for handling future challenges.
6. GET EXCITED AND TAKE ACTION
Now that you’re able to handle any emotion with confidence, get excited and take action to reach a new goal or milestone. Whatever your goal is, put your emotional mastery to work by staying responsive to others in your work. Having mastered how to improve emotional intelligence benefits your personal and professional relationships.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: ADDITIONAL TOOLS
Psychology Today reports on the value of emotional intelligence in navigating life and relationships. To really understand how to improve emotional intelligence, experts recommend taking the reins on your own feelings. Improving emotional intelligence means staying cool under stress instead of being reactive. To stay relaxed in a crisis, remember the holistic nature of your peak state. To keep calm, stay attentive to your body in the present moment. Staying aware of your mind-body connection helps you overcome stress and stay connected to others. If, after addressing your stress, you still need to release difficult emotions like anger, fear or sadness, give yourself permission to take a break. As you develop emotional skillfulness, you’ll become better able to manage yourself and relate to others.
