What role do you think emotional intelligence plays in the typical workplace?

1. 87

   Anna C Taylorposted 9 years ago

   What role do you think emotional intelligence plays in the typical workplace?
   
   How important do you think it is and how can companies better develop it?

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2. 69

   Tusitala Tomposted 9 years ago

   It's strange how when we hear that term, 'workplace' we think of the typical IT-type open-plan office with everyone crouched over computer screens.  This sort of environment appears to breed discontent as people 'climb the corporate ladder.'   Certainly emotional intelligence will help ease a lot of self-created pain here.  But there are jobs were emotional intelligence is pretty well requisite.
   
   For example, I spent many years in Aircraft Operations.  Such people as air-traffic controllers don't 'spit the dummy' if something doesn't go smoothly. I'd say the same would apply to fire-fighters, ambulance drivers, theatre operating staff and a host of other occupations.
   
   How can companies develop emotional intelligence in their staff?   A whole new culture would need to evolve, starting firstly at the leadership level where as, say, in the little Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas, 'Gross National Happiness,' is deemed more important than Gross National Product.   In other words, the happiness of staff being involved in meaningful, enjoyable and rewarding work was regarded by all as more important than profit.   
   
   The companies' leaders would need to have the emotional intelligence to see this as a company mission, of course, and not just pay lip service to it.   But I expect some organizations, the ones that allow great freedom for the employees to make decisions and implement them, whether deemed wrong by the hierarchy and no punishment dealt out if a project fails, such as many of the Silicon Valley enterprises - these leaders are already using a emotional intelligence.

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3. 56

   breathingposted 9 years ago

   Emotional Intelligence plays crucial role in any kind of workplace. In case of typical workplace it is far more important. You must maintain a good and healthy relationship with all the colleagues and specially your boss. And in case a sound working relationship, it is important to express your emotions correctly. According to most of the workplace experts, emotional intelligence is the major factor for both professional and personal development.
   
   If you put your emotions in the right direction, you will be good to all and this will help you both professionally and personally. But if you fail to control your emotions and be unnatural in any particular circumstance, that one incident can be the starting of your career downfall.   You will find many people who get thrashed at the hand of boss and show their rage with the colleagues. This is the worst expression of emotional intelligence. If you are angry with someone, show that with the respective individual and that too in a professional manner. Your anger expression and any other kind of emotion will vary from person to person. Of course, the way you can treat a colleague will be different from that with the boss!!
   
   If you have emotional intelligence problems, try to develop it by practicing with your close ones-like friends and family. This will help you improve your personal emotional intelligence and by applying it in the workplace, you can be benefited professionally.

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