Just be a human, think like a human, and act like a human – this is advice that I wish all people would take into consideration every day in the workplace! Some get so caught up in productivity, the day-to-day, the "busyness badge of honor", the numbers, etc. that they don’t think long enough to be a person. Or at least I give the benefit of doubt to a lot of people that these are some reasons why they don’t communicate that well, or help someone out, or think about themselves rather than the whole company. For the people who do these things intentionally and not care about the people they work with…I’m not talking to you because you have to want to change and take actions to change to see change. So, for everyone else who wants to be human and work in an environment where they feel heard, understood, appreciated, connected, and fulfilled – let me introduce you to (or refresh you on) Emotional Intelligence, the key to human leadership in the workplace and even in your personal life, during #EmotionalIntelligenceAwarenessMonth.
“What is Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions while also recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. Unlike IQ, which measures cognitive abilities, EQ is centered around emotional awareness and regulation. As leaders, employees, or individuals navigating personal and professional lives, EQ is crucial to building healthy relationships, handling stress, and making sound decisions.
According to my definition, emotional intelligence is "better understanding yourself to better understand and work with others." Self-awareness forms the foundation of EQ because what we don't recognize in ourselves, we can't change. From this starting point, we develop empathy, resilience, and interpersonal skills that help us navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
Why is Emotional Intelligence Important?
In both personal and professional spheres, emotional intelligence enhances communication, decision-making, and relationships. Leaders with high EQ are more attuned to their own emotions and the emotions of their teams. This allows them to lead with empathy, foster a collaborative environment, and inspire greater loyalty.
On a personal level, EQ is the key to resilience and adaptability. Whether you are managing stress or handling change, having the emotional awareness to process your feelings and approach challenges constructively makes all the difference.
In a professional setting, high EQ helps leaders build trust, manage conflict, and create an inclusive workplace culture. It's not just about keeping a team productive—it's about fostering an environment where people feel safe, valued, and motivated to grow.
EQ’s Role in Your Personal and Professional Life
At every stage of life, both personal and professional, emotional intelligence plays a role in guiding us through challenges and successes. Leaders who possess high emotional intelligence lead with compassion, navigate conflict skillfully, and create environments where people feel heard and understood. But beyond leadership, EQ helps in every interaction, whether in building relationships with colleagues, negotiating tough conversations, or handling personal crises with resilience.
Being emotionally intelligent doesn’t mean avoiding negative emotions or difficult situations. Instead, it means knowing how to manage these emotions and use them to inform your actions. For instance, a leader facing resistance to change can leverage EQ to understand the fears behind the resistance and address those concerns with empathy.
EQ is Essential at Every Level Within an Organization
Emotional intelligence is not just for executives or team leaders. It’s a skill that applies to every person, regardless of their role or title. Whether you are an entry-level employee or a senior executive, emotional intelligence enables you to communicate effectively, collaborate well with others, and manage your emotions in high-pressure situations.
It’s essential to understand that everyone is a leader, regardless of their level within an organization. Leadership is not about titles—it’s about influence. Even if you don’t have direct reports, you are still a leader if you can inspire, support, and positively influence your peers. EQ allows you to do just that.
10 Small Steps to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence
Here are ten actionable steps to help increase your emotional intelligence:
1. Practice Mindfulness: Regular mindfulness or meditation can help you become more aware of your emotions as they arise.
2. Reflect on Your Emotions: At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect on your emotional responses. What triggered them? How did you handle them?
3. Ask for Feedback: Gaining insight from others about how you manage emotions can be invaluable for growth.
4. Develop Empathy: Focus on truly listening to others. Ask questions that help you understand their perspective.
5. Improve Non-verbal Communication: Pay attention to body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions—both your own and others.
6. Practice Stress Management: Develop a routine that helps you manage stress, whether through exercise, journaling, or talking to a mentor.
7. Set Boundaries: Assertiveness is about expressing your needs and beliefs without being aggressive. Learn how to say no when needed.
8. Stay Optimistic: Cultivate a positive outlook, especially during difficult times, and practice resilience.
9. Build Emotional Vocabulary: Expand your emotional vocabulary to better understand and describe how you feel.
10. Commit to Lifelong Learning: View emotional intelligence as a continuous journey, where you’re always learning and improving.
5 Reasons People Don’t Invest in Themselves or Leadership Skills (And How to Overcome Them)
Despite the known benefits of emotional intelligence and leadership development, many people hesitate to invest in themselves. Here are five common reasons and ways to overcome them:
1. Lack of Time: Many believe they are too busy to focus on self-improvement. However, carving out just a few minutes each day for reflection or learning can gradually lead to substantial growth. Start small and build from there.
2. Fear of Change: Some resist emotional intelligence development because it requires them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves. The best way to overcome this is to focus on the long-term benefits, both personally and professionally.
3. Thinking Leadership is Only for Executives: Many assume leadership skills are irrelevant unless they hold a senior position. But as mentioned earlier, everyone is a leader. Even if you’re not in a formal leadership role, investing in EQ makes you a better team player and opens doors for future leadership opportunities.
4. Viewing Soft Skills as Unimportant: Some see EQ and other "soft skills" as less important than technical expertise. However, studies show that high EQ is often a greater predictor of long-term success than IQ. To overcome this mindset, reflect on how EQ has impacted your personal or professional experiences, and focus on its tangible benefits.
5. Financial Barriers: Investing in personal development can feel financially daunting. But there are numerous free or affordable resources available, from books to online courses. Start with small investments in time, and you’ll soon see the returns in your performance and satisfaction.
Emotional intelligence is not a "nice-to-have" skill—it’s essential for personal and professional success. By developing your EQ, you can improve relationships, lead with authenticity, and navigate the complexities of life and work with greater ease. Whether you're just starting or looking to strengthen your EQ, it’s important to remember that these skills are not fixed—they can be learned and continuously refined.
Reflective Question: What small step will you take today to improve your emotional intelligence and leadership abilities?”1
BONUS - To assess where you and your organization are in your employee engagement culture journey, download my “Culture Pulse: Employee Engagement Questionnaire” here: https://www.badeauconsulting.com/culturepulseeequestionnaire
Are you ready to dig into emotional intelligence, employee engagement, and leadership? I help uncomplicate leading humans so that companies and their employees can harness the moments of change without burning out their people in the process.
We do this by designing and implementing a system that lets their employees activate their leadership potential to benefit the company overall.
In doing so, the companies can grow without dealing with growing pains.
If you are ready to get started, please reach out to chat: https://www.badeauconsulting.com/.
I look forward to providing monthly pulse points to help you stay up to date with how the workplace culture scene is evolving.
About Jaclyn T. Badeau, CPA, CGMA, MBA, EQ Certified
Jaclyn Badeau is a People Success Strategist who helps uncomplicate leading humans so that companies and their employees can harness the moments of change without burning out their people in the process. With a background in cultivating high-performing teams, delivering coaching and mentoring, serving as a global business risk advisor, and facilitating leadership training to a global workforce, Jaclyn has a unique perspective on what employees need and what works. Jaclyn is also a multi-award recipient and is passionate about sharing her expertise and knowledge in volunteer advisory and leadership roles for many associations and not-for-profits.
About Pulse Point
Pulse Point is a monthly blog to stay up to date with how the workplace culture scene is evolving.
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1 OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (October 2023): Large language model. Retrieved from https://chat.openai.com
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