“The most important thing about a career is how you build relationships, and if you’re a leader how you build teams,” Benjamin said. “So it’s all about managing the emotions that come up when there’s tension and conflict. The people who excel at that, research shows, are those with high E.I.”
While it’s normal to feel anger, anxiety and other strong emotions in the workplace, the most effective workers know how to deal with their reactions and how they can affect the people around them.
Benjamin suggests asking yourself the following questions: “When there’s tension and conflict or pressure, can we manage our emotions, so that we can step in and be skillful? Can we have a sense of urgency, but not with panic or anxiety, and instead be solutions-focused and confident?”
Other questions include :
- Am I aware of the emotions that are driving my behavior?
- Can I manage my emotions in stressful situations?
- Can I make difficult decisions that involve a lot of emotions?
- Can I empathize with others in order to motivate and inspire them?
- Am I able take ownership of my behavior?
A "yes" to these questions add up to a leader strengthened by emotional intelligence.