Joe Carbone, founder and CEO of Eastern Partners.
getty
Emotional intelligence is a form of intelligence that measures how well a person can control their own feelings and those of others. Business leaders with a high level of emotional intelligence are highly aware of their own emotions and those of others. It’s not something you’re born with or not, but rather a trait you can build on over time.
It is never too late to develop your emotional intelligence, regardless of your age or level in a company. If you find yourself having trouble reading people or coping with difficult situations at work, I have a few tips for increasing your own emotional intelligence.
Build your self-awareness.
The first step in increasing your emotional intelligence is to become more self-aware. When you are self-aware, you have a clear understanding of your personality traits, motivations and emotions. If you can recognize your emotions, you will be better able to regulate your reactions to situations. Becoming more self-aware is easier said than done, but there are several ways you can develop this skill.
For example, keeping a journal can help you become more self-aware by putting your feelings and thoughts into words. I’ve found it to be a great way to process emotions, discover patterns in your feelings, and release any feelings that are weighing you down. But keep in mind that it’s important to stay honest and true to yourself while writing.
If keeping a journal doesn’t feel right to you, you can also talk to someone about your feelings. For example, you can talk to a friend or loved one about the things that might be bothering you and work on becoming more self-aware.
Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is important for every aspect of life, but I believe it is especially important for increasing your emotional intelligence. If you know your strengths, you can rely on them in times of stress. This can help you manage your emotions and stay positive even when the going gets tough. On the other hand, knowing your weaknesses can help you avoid situations that can cause you to experience a lot of stress. This way you can prevent your emotions from getting the better of you.
To get a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses, take a quiz that rates you on your emotional intelligence. Alternatively, you can ask your friends and family for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. There will probably be some overlap between your strengths and weaknesses, but this is completely normal.
Develop a habit of reflection.
Another way to increase your emotional intelligence is to develop a habit of reflection. Thinking about your day and the things that happened can help you process what went right and what went wrong. It is important to think about both your professional and personal lives, as both types of situations can affect your emotional intelligence.
When you think back to your day, give yourself enough time to really process what happened. For example, you can set aside 10 minutes at the end of each day to think. During this time, try to avoid distractions such as social media and TV and instead focus on what happened during your day. You can keep a journal about your feelings or write down the highlights of your day.
Take the time to recalibrate.
I’ve found that taking the time to recalibrate can also help you build your emotional intelligence. It can help you avoid getting caught up in your own emotions or the emotions of others, and it can also help you stay calm and composed. To recalibrate, step out of your daily activities and take time to relax, reflect and recharge. This can mean meditating, exercising, reading, or spending quality time with friends and family.
Help others.
I believe that another great way to increase your emotional intelligence is to help others. If you can help someone else, you can become more aware of the feelings of others. There are many ways you can help others, whether it’s donating your time to a local charity or helping a neighbor with some household chores.
When we think of intelligence, we often think of things like math and language, but emotional intelligence is just as important. Business leaders with a high level of emotional intelligence are highly aware of their own feelings and the feelings of others. To build this trait, you must first be self-aware, know your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a habit of reflection.
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