Emotional intelligence is been pioneering in guiding the management leaders, technocrats and bureaucrats. Many successful Universities have dedicated a substantial amount of resources to tap the untapped potential in its students through dedicated programs for emotional intelligence. As decisions, particularly in the management field, are being influenced by raw emotions it is important that the proper intelligence should be accompanied by emotional endeavors.
The rationale behind a robust decision making is to have a sound uninfluenced mind which will cater the need of bringing efficiency in the management. Decision making in the raw sense is always influenced by emotions so it may play a critical role in guiding the overall growth story of any organization.
What is the emotional intelligence
The art of awareness of one’s own emotions
The first and the foremost of all things to be emotionally intelligent is to be aware of one’s own emotions. A person needs to be aware of one’s own emotions. He should be able to guess the present state of emotions. The ability to observe will involve watching one’s emotions minutely and be able to exactly predict as in which state of emotion the person exists.
The art of managing one’s own emotions.
Second important thing is to manage the emotions. It is about being flexible with the emotions. One needs to adapt according to the emotional breakups with the presence of mind. The ‘90 second rule’ may help in this case. It’s been observed that the cortisol hormone gets released when a person is under stress and emotional influences. This hormone is released to manage the stress. It is important that this hormone returns to a normal level with immediate effect. So it is important that we should wait for our emotional impulses to get washed out before making any big decision.
The art of observing emotions in other people.
This task is a pure art where you have to develop that ability to watch emotions in other people. You need to be a keen observer who has to guess what is happening with other people. It is nothing but an intelligent social awareness.
The art of managing emotions in other people
This is probably the most difficult job which a manager has to perform. Well, observing emotions is one thing and managing is another, it requires great skills. The easiest way to achieve this is by having a continuous and a healthy conversation with the employees. Conversation helps in knowing the emotional aspects of the employees.
How to use emotional intelligence in employee management
Managing emotions will involve both formal and informal approach. The formal approach may involve structuring workplace environment and providing some comfort by aligning the company rules with the socio-psychological needs of the employees. We have to understand that the performance of the employee depends upon the healthy social life. We may not be able to create such social condition. But certainly, we can align our company values with the socio-psychological needs of the employee.
Another approach to managing emotions can be achieved by being informal at some times. An occasional informal talk with the employees can help in understanding their particular needs. For e.g. some employees may have some personal ambitions and goals to achieve. We have to take care that those employees get sufficient opportunities to lead and achieve a sense of belonging for a greater purpose.
Can a flexible approach play a crucial role in employee management?
The employee management strategy should be always flexible, innovative and robust to give the required results. Sometimes rule books can hinder the potential growth. The same rules may not work for different companies. Not only that but same rules may not work for different departments in the same firm.
In the last decade or so, if we observe the successful startups and try to find as for why they succeeded, then the most important reason which can be put forward is their flexible strategies. The startups haven’t had the burden of managing the rule books. Mostly, they flew with the work and conditioned themselves according to the rules. Rather than following rules according to certain conditions, they formed their own set of rules in response to the situations.
How can emotional intelligence help in following a more flexible approach?
If we master the art of being emotionally intelligent then we can be more flexible in our approach. Emotional intelligence helps us to take correct decisions in quickest possible time. And hence we can tackle any hard or soft personality. Emotionally intelligent attitude helps us manage employees effectively without allocating any separate resources. Thus the time and energy saved in this process can help us in concentrating on other important things. And very likely we will be more flexible in our decision making.
Emotional intelligence techniques if applied in a structured manner can give us the surprising results. The thing is that we can predict the possible emotional outcomes and hence provide the best solution to tackle it. This approach keeps the organization fit to tackle any difficulty. So the most important part is to start practicing emotional intelligent attitude at workplaces. No doubt results will bring some handsome rewards in employee management.
