As the speed of technology increases, building a strong and effective company culture becomes more important. Rapidly changing markets and an increasingly diverse workforce can leave organizations struggling to find a strong base from which to operate. As a specialist in emotional intelligence, I believe that the ability to understand our own emotions and successfully manage the wide range of emotions of others is critical to the development of good working relationships between individuals.
I recently spoke with Zach Blumenfeld and Nick Lombardino, co-founders of CultureCon, a certified B Corp that seeks to promote positive change in workplace culture. Blumenfeld told me that emotional intelligence is something his organization embraces. “At CultureCon, we emphasize that leaders who cultivate emotional intelligence create environments where trust flourishes and diverse perspectives are embraced,” said Blumenfeld.
Research has shown that emotional intelligence has a significant impact on employee engagement, collaboration, and building effective teams. When these elements work together, performance and productivity increase. This not only makes organizations more competitive and successful, but also reduces turnover and increases employee satisfaction and well-being.
This leads to continuous growth, greater innovation and a workplace known as a great place to work. “[There is a] a greater recognition that self-awareness benefits the entire organization, not just individuals,” says Lombardino.
Investing in emotional intelligence is one of the most effective ways an organization can transform individuals into a cohesive and engaged workforce. Here’s why emotional intelligence is so important to building strong and resilient cultures:
It forms self-awareness
Emotional intelligence is rooted in increased self-awareness. It helps people understand their emotions, values, strengths and weaknesses. Understanding how we come across to others and better knowing where they are coming from will greatly enhance our ability to work effectively with them. Better self-awareness increases our ability to embrace change, work in areas of self-improvement and personal growth.
Improves communication skills
As we increase our awareness of ourselves and others, our ability to be understood (and understand others) increases. This results in more effective, clear communication, as well as less misunderstanding and defensiveness. Spending less time on conflict and confusion results in less friction, more productivity, and more effective collaboration.
This leads to faster, more effective decision making
Our emotions affect all levels of our decision making. When we become aware of the role our emotions play, we become better at navigating our way through them.
While we can’t eliminate all misunderstandings or defensiveness at work, emotional intelligence not only gives us the tools to recognize what’s going on, but also helps us feel heard and respected. Understanding our values, as well as respecting others by making sure they are heard, helps reduce the negative impact of decisions.
This is especially important when we are making a decision that is unpopular but must be made in the best overall interest of the organization. When people feel heard, they act more readily and are less likely to harbor resentment toward those who make decisions they disagree with.
Improves empathy
Understanding what others are feeling allows us to offer them support and comfort. This creates a sense of security that, if lost, can cause people to leave their workplaces. Feeling confident and behind us as colleagues and leaders results in increased motivation, extra aspirational efforts, and a workplace people look forward to coming to every day.