Emotional Intelligence at work: what is it?
Why do some managers naturally inspire confidence and unite their teams, while others struggle to motivate their staff despite their irreproachable technical skills? The answer often lies in emotional intelligence. In a constantly evolving professional world, where human relations play a central role, emotional intelligence is a key skill for success.
But what exactly does it involve? How does it differ from coaching ? Why can it transform your career path? And above all, how can you guarantee its success? Here are some answers to these questions.
Multiple intelligences: a basis for understanding emotional intelligence
Developed in the late 70s by neurology professor Howard Gardner, the theory of multiple intelligences shows that there is not one but several forms of intelligence. Gardner identifies eight types of intelligence, including logical-mathematical, linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, visual-spatial, musical and others. This theory, widely accepted by the scientific community, highlights the complexity of the human mind.
Although emotional intelligence is not one of the multiple intelligences defined by Gardner, it follows the same logic: recognizing that human abilities go far beyond simple cognitive skills.. Emotional intelligence (EI) is characterized by the ability to perceive, understand, express and use one's own emotions, as well as those of others.
Why is emotional intelligence underestimated in business?
Traditionally, organizations have focused on rational or cognitive intelligence, the kind that can be assessed with an IQ test. Yet this ignores a large part of human potential. Emotional intelligence, although intangible, is an essential professional skill, especially for managers. It enables us to better understand our employees' needs, manage conflicts and create a collaborative working climate.
In 2015, a study conducted by Harvard University, in collaboration with the Carnegie Foundation and the Stanford Research Center, revealed that 85% of professional success is due to human and relational skillsor "soft skills". This means that only 15% of professional success can be attributed to technical or "hard" skills. This statistic underlines the importance of emotional intelligence in a professional environment.
The concept of emotional intelligence: the Mayer and Salovey model
The concept of emotional intelligence emerged in the 1990s thanks to the work of Mayer and Salovey. They define it as " a form of intelligence that involves the ability to control one's feelings and emotions and those of others, to distinguish between them, and to use this information to guide one's thoughts and actions.. "
In other words, people with developed emotional intelligence are able to perceive, understand, control and use their emotions and those of others to achieve their goals. A few years later, in 1996, David Goleman popularized this concept in his book Emotional intelligence: why is it more important than IQ?. He identifies five key competencies, now classified as "soft skills" in business:
- Self-awareness Recognizing your own emotions and their effects.
- Self-control Managing emotions to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Motivation Use your emotions to achieve your goals.
- Empathy Understanding the emotions of others.
- Social skills Developing positive, collaborative relationships.
The importance of emotional intelligence for today's manager
The work of Goleman and others shows that employees with a high emotional quotient (EQ) are not only more successful, but also more resilient and able to climb the hierarchical ladder quickly.
In the workplace, managers with high emotional intelligence have several advantages:
- Effective communication: They know how to convey clear messages tailored to their audience's emotions.
- Conflict management: They defuse tensions with tact and diplomacy.
- Motivation and federation: They inspire their teams by highlighting the strengths of each individual.
- Positive work climate: They create a collaborative environment, where employees feel listened to and respected.
Let's take a concrete example: imagine a manager faced with a conflict between two members of his team. A manager with strong emotional intelligence will find it easier to actively listen to both parties, identify the emotions at play (frustration, fear, anger) and find a solution that respects everyone's needs. This type of leadership promotes not only conflict resolution, but also long-term team cohesion.
How can you develop your emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is not an innate skill. However, it can be developed with targeted effort. Here are a few concrete ways to achieve it:
- Running a corporate awareness campaign: It's essential to make managers and employees understand the importance of emotional intelligence. Workshops or conferences can be organized for this purpose.
- Practice personal development exercises:
- Emotional journaling: Write down your emotions every day to understand them better.
- Breathing techniques: Cardiac coherence, for example, helps manage stress.
- Encourage regular feedback: Solicit feedback from colleagues and collaborators to better understand how your behaviors are perceived.
- Individual coaching:Coaching is an effective method because it is based on real-life professional situations. A coach supports the manager in analyzing his or her emotions and developing interpersonal skills over the long term.
Conclusion: a key skill for today's leaders
In a world where technical skills alone are no longer enough, emotional intelligence is an essential element of today's leadership. Developing this aptitude means investing not only in your own professional success, but also in the well-being and performance of your teams.
At If, Conseil & Coachingwe firmly believe that every individual has the potential to develop his or her leadership skills. Through our personalized coaching programs, we support you in developing your emotional intelligence, helping you to better understand your emotions, strengthen your professional relationships, and transform your work environment into a collaborative and fulfilling space.
So why wait to get started? Contact us today If, Consulting & Coaching today to find out how our solutions can help you achieve your goals and bring out the best in yourself and your teams.