High Emotional Intelligence: 6 Strategies Managers Use to Achieve Success

Over the past few years, emotional intelligence (EQ) has become one of the most popular skills to hire for. The benefits of emotional intelligence in the workplace are countless-- ranging from improved communications and higher productivity, to resilience in the face of difficulty and job satisfaction. Companies that prioritize EQ, are more profitable, too.

However, one area of EQ in the workplace that does not always get the attention it deserves is its role in effective management. EQ is actually a determining factor in managers ability to successfully lead their teams and achieve company goals.

Managers with high EQ can more effectively manage resources, stay calm in challenging situations, and help their direct reports become better problem solvers. They also build stronger relationships with their employees that, in turn, make them more engaged and productive in their work. Not surprisingly, the presence of high EQ managers is also linked to better employee retention ( https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijmsr/v7-i8/2.pdf ) . Employees who feel that their bosses understand them and are giving them what they need to get the job done, are more likely to stay in the company.

Success Strategies of High EQ Managers

A manager with a high level of emotional intelligence will have his or her own style and approach. However, some combination of the following strategies and behaviors are typically present among all successful high EQ managers:

1. They Get Their Own House in Order
The very first area that managers with high EQ supervise is themselves. This self-management can take many forms. It involves being clear about their personal limitations, such as when to say “no,” when to delegate to others, and when to ask for advice. It may also mean self-care in the form of a healthy diet, exercise, getting enough sleep, and working to maintain a good work-life balance.

All of these behaviors strongly influence managers' well-being and their ability to make the most effective decisions. They can also help managers to maintain a positive and optimistic outlook. It's common knowledge that emotions are contagious. One person's mood can significantly affect the mood of others ( https://www.uwhealth.org/news/the-happiness-ripple-effect ) . Managers and leaders are no different ( https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00767.x ) . When those in management and leadership positions maintain a positive outlook themselves, they can positively affect the whole team. This leads to increased creativity, better decision-making, and can even boost company sales.

2. They Make Themselves Available
Being available doesn't necessarily mean having an open door policy all the time. There can be fixed hours and mediums for employees to ask questions, express concerns and offer any feedback through out the work day. The point, however, is that high EQ managers make themselves approachable. They create the space for employees to constructively criticize, offer a different opinion, challenge the status quo, and not be afraid to ask questions of any kind. By doing so, these managers open the channels of communication among the team members as well.

3. They Know How to Diffuse Distressful Emotions
High EQ managers don't run away from or ignore difficult conversations. Instead, they take them with stride. They embrace the potential for conflict resolution, the discovery of unseen opportunities for improvement, and the ability to nip a problem in the bud before it grows out of control.

In order to do this, managers tap into the pool of skills most associated with emotional intelligence: emotional awareness, empathy, active listening, patience, clear and effective communication, and the ability to set limits.

4. They Maintain a Healthy Balance Between Humility and Ego
True humility is the recognition that a person can't possibly know it all and be it all. To be human is to be limited. Each and every one of us, however, is completely unique. Every individual has the potential to add value. The insight and perspective, personality and creative energy in one person simply cannot be replicated by another.

When dealing with employee issues, humble high EQ managers will naturally try to put their self-interests and prejudices aside and see the situation from their employee's perspective. They don't just listen to what is being said, either. Managers with high emotional intelligence are also open to learning from it. At the same time, however, they maintain enough ego to know when to set limits and keep the process moving in the right direction.

5. They Have Accountability
High EQ managers don't consider themselves to be above the rules. They hold themselves accountable for the team and the results that the team produces. Sometimes that means a manager has to take the hit from more senior leaders when mistakes are made or goals aren't reached.

This does not, however, stop the manager from holding team members accountable for their own work as well as giving them the room to make independent decisions.

6. They Constantly Remember The End Game
High EQ managers prefer collaborative, long-term solutions when confronted with an obstacle or conflict. Quick fixes, where the short-term goal is to find a solution (any solution!), may be necessary from time to time.

Most solutions, however, are made with a long-term focus and often include feedback from team members. This creates a feeling of buy-in. When employees feel that they are a part of the solution, it means they will be more invested in the outcome. They are more willing to stick it out and complete the process till the very end. Even if it doesn't end up being successful, they will automatically be more open to trying other strategies.

In short, High Emotional Intelligence among managers is an essential skill that can make the difference between achieving or even surpassing company goals versus continually coming up short. It also makes the difference between happy, engaged, and motivated employees versus those who dream of one day leaving for another company or department. Since High EQ is a skill that anyone can learn, it's up to the managers themselves to decide which outcome they want.

Media Contact

Name: Robert Moment
Email: Robert@HighEmotionalIntelligence.com
Website: www.HighEmotionalIntelligence.com
Location: Arlington
State: Virginia

About the Author

Robert Moment is a dynamic results-driven ICF Certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach and Trainer and ICF Certified Executive Coach and Author of High Emotional Intelligence for Managers.

Robert specializes in solving communication, management, executive and employee workplace problems utilizing emotional intelligence coaching and training solutions for sustainable peak performance and guaranteed profitable results.

Visit https://Courses.HighEmotionalIntelligence.com and Enroll in the High Emotional Intelligence for First Time and Experience Managers Online Training for achieving high emotional intelligence for rapid results and management success in the New Future of Work.

This release was published on openPR.