As we discussed in our most recent blog post, the pandemic shadow under which we’ve all been living for more than a year has caused our own leadership strengths and challenges, as well as those of others, to be magnified. One of the skills or capabilities regarding which deficits and surpluses were most noticeable in leaders during the last year is “emotional intelligence” or EI/EQ/EIQ.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
So, what exactly is emotional intelligence? EQ is defined as “the ability to understand and manage your emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you.” Even during non-pandemic times, we all likely experienced situations where we felt our manager or someone in a position of leadership could have, or should have, done a better job of checking, and therefore, not showing their emotion. For example, the individual to whom we reported expressed anger about the implementation of a new policy at a time where it would have served your team or organization better to positively embrace and accept the upcoming change.
Or, there was an occasion where we wished our own body language and/or words demonstrated less concern about the impact of upcoming organizational changes so that we didn’t worry our own team. On the flip-side, prior to our pandemic, we likely all observed situations where we wished our manager or we had been more empathetic and less stoic, and therefore, exhibited emotions.
We think you’ll agree that, during these continued turbulent times, it’s particularly important for leaders to be capable of taking their own emotional temperature and that of others in their organization – whether they be co-workers, other members of the leadership team, or direct reports – so they can respond to that temperature in a productive, positive fashion that serves them, their organization, and their team well.
Sure, without the appropriate business, industry and technical background required for a leadership position, it’s unlikely that a job candidate will be hired or promoted. But, technical expertise, relevant background, or high intelligence level (IQ) is not enough to be an effective, successful leader during non-difficult times, and is particularly not enough during challenging times. Leaders need to be self-aware, aware of others, authentic, self-motivated and inspirational during such times
Will Emphasis on Emotional Intelligence Continue?
One of the most important applications of EQ is helping leaders foster a workplace climate conducive to high performance. These workplaces yield significantly higher productivity, retention, and profitability and emotional intelligence appears key to this competitive advantage.
We believe that, at least through the end of 2021, EQ will continue to be paramount to effective leadership for the following reasons:
- Workplace Uncertainty, Such As The Following, Will Remain
- When will on-site work begin again? Does an organization need to return to an on-site model?
- If an organization returns to an on-site model, what will be different/changed from pre-pandemic times, i.e., what adjustments will need to be made?
- Would a hybrid model of remote and on-site employees and/or work be most effective going forward? Could a totally remote model be as, or more, effective than a pre-pandemic on-site one?
- Personal Challenges of Employees, Such As The Following, Will Continue
- Mental health challenges as a result of an employee or their loved one experiencing anxiety and depression or other mental health challenges – stemming from the pandemic.
- Physical health challenges as a result of an employee or their loved one having had COVID.
- Change in household or family dynamics due to new ways of operating during the pandemic, such as:
- Ongoing change in child’s school schedule/daycare situation
- Ongoing change in spouse’s work situation, including employment status or work location
How to Increase Your or An Employee’s Emotional Intelligence
Concerned about what you observed under the pandemic magnifying lens about your or an employee’s EQ? Don’t lose heart. While some individuals almost seem to have been born with great emotional intelligence, it is also something that can be learned and developed. Read on to learn more about training and assessments that are available to improve abilities to recognize, respond to, and cope with emotions!
Genos® International Emotional Intelligence solutions allow program participants to benefit from combined, integrated assessments and training that ultimately provide participants with customized action plans for personalized EQ skills development. Bercume Associates is a Genos® Certified Practitioner and Partner with significant experience in and passion for emotional intelligence development.
Emotional Intelligence Assessments
The Genos® International assessments (emotional intelligence tests) mentioned above are online surveys/tests that employees can take at their own convenience 24/7. Both self-assessments and multi-rater (assessments from peers, supervisors, direct reports) EQ assessments are available and measure:
- how often one demonstrates emotionally intelligent behavior at work
- how one “shows up” – which ultimately determines how you makes others feel, and how well they will engage with you
EQ Training Programs
As a Genos®-certified organization, we offer the following Genos® Model training programs that speak to various emotional leadership needs. These programs combine personalized results and tips feedback from self-assessments and/or multi-rater assessments with virtual or in-person live instruction and self-paced online learning.
- The Mindful Leader – Participants establish the foundations to supercharge their teams with powerful skills and techniques. Combining the power of neuroscience, mindfulness and emotional intelligence, individuals learn to become leaders who naturally engage their people for superior results. Attendees learn essential competencies for sustaining peak performance, creativity and motivation in themselves & others – even in the face of extreme stress and challenging times.
- The Engaging Leader – This program was designed to help individuals enhance motivation, commitment, and engagement of their teams. They do this by first taking a look at their own emotional intelligence behaviors, how they are “showing up” at work with their teams. Participants complete a Genos Leadership 180 Assessment. During the assessment, they receive feedback from a selection of their colleagues on their EI behaviors in areas such as: self-awareness, awareness of others, authenticity, emotional reasoning, self-management, and inspiring behaviors.
- The Emotionally Intelligent Leader – As part of this program, participants first partake in a personal Genos EI Leadership Assessment, in order to understand “how they are showing up at work.” Attendees will improve their understanding of emotions and emotional intelligence. They will also explore and practice tools and techniques for applying emotional intelligence in leadership, and creating conditions for others to achieve high performance.
Learn More and Take Our Complimentary Index to See First-Hand The Benefits of EI
Want to learn more about how you or your employees would benefit from our EQ assessment solutions? We’d love to chat – and as part of educating you further – offer you a complimentary “Emotional Culture Index.” This quick, confidential index will allow you to see first-hand the power of and need for EI and is designed to measure three dimensions of emotion at work:
- Current state – How often your people experience certain feelings at work.
- Expected state – How often your people think it’s fair and reasonable to experience these feelings at work, given the nature and context of your workplace.
- Ideal state – How often your people think they should ideally experience these feelings in your workplace in order to be effective.
Not sure which Emotional Intelligence training program is right for you or your direct report? We’re here to help. Reach out today for a complimentary chat.