“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power . . . .”
. . . . Lao Tzu
A Billion Dollar Skill
Working for a large cosmetics maker, salespersons with high emotional intelligence (EI) sold merchandise worth $91,000 more than average sales guys.
That, is the power of emotional intelligence skills!
In the previous article, we explored what EI is, and its current and future relevance. Also called emotional quotient (EQ), EI is a billion dollar skill that secures your professional success and personal happiness.
Boosting Your Emotional Intelligence
The most important element in any professional relationship is not the technology, the infrastructure, or the glamour. It is the people you work with! Our personal lives are no different.
Self awareness and grasping other’s feelings are the two essential components of emotional intelligence. Developing EI requires you to understand people’s emotions and inspire them towards greater performance. For that, you first need the capacity to read and control your own emotions.
Features of emotionally intelligent persons are their capacity to provide leadership, inspiration, and motivation. Here are simple tips for improving emotional intelligence:
- Introspect, Know Thyself: Great many things begin with introspection. Take your ego out of the equation and jot down your strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself:
- When do you perform best – remember the boosters.
- What brings out your worst behaviour – note the triggers.
- Do you let emotions affect your decision making – take a deep breath and clear your mind before reacting.
- Are you prone to over optimism and rush in when an opportunity presents itself – study the opportunity thoroughly before you commit.
- Does a challenge depress you – get up and act, for the best cure to fear is action.
- What events or persons stress you – start by staying away from these and evaluate what precisely gets you stressed. Work on your limitations, because unless you face your fears, you cannot conquer them.
- Are you lazy – stop delaying and start acting . . . . now.
- Do you get overwhelmed when starting a project – divide it into elements and complete it step-by-step. Divide and Rule!
- Empathize, Put Yourself in Other’s Shoes: Many times, it is just our mind that plays tricks. And once our imagination starts running wild, either in the optimistic or pessimist direction, things go out of control.
- Before suspecting anyone of foul play, analyze why the person is so behaving, and how you would have acted in his position.
- Imagine the effect your actions have on others. What message are you sending via your language and body language – does that make others comfortable or nervous?
- Be humble. Your humility can open many doors – literally and figuratively. Don’t let people dominate you though.
- Be a Good Listener: Take time to analyze, and respond categorically leaving no room for misunderstandings.
- Avoid Impulsive Reactions to Conflict: Emotional outbursts aggravate the situation. Instead, adopt a trouble-shooter’s perspective to solve the problem.
- Respond Constructively to Criticism: This is particularly true when the criticism comes from your ‘rivals’. Understand their point and respond in a communication style that is calm and systematic.
The Power of Positive Thinking
Above all, think positive. The power of a positive attitude is infinite. It makes you happy as your brain signals the release of hormones that boost your productivity, focus, confidence, which eventually propel your performance to great heights. Everything truly begins in the mind!
Indrajeetsinh Yadav @ Falcon Words has pieced together this article. For more such beyond-the-obvious content, and for sterling Resumes, Cover Letters, Statements of Purpose, and Personal Statements that bring out your genuine personality in an organic manner, write to us at info@falconwords.com or call us at +91-9822052945.