Emotional Intelligence as your stepping stone to success

I work as a recruiter and am always on the lookout for people who have the potential to do well in their jobs. While being smart is valued, I have found that being emotionally intelligent (or EQ) is equally, if not more, important.

I recently read an article by Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, in Inc. magazine that caught my interest. Nadella says that the difference between successful people and others can be summed up in two words: Emotional Intelligence (EQ).

He explains EQ as "the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others." He believes that EQ is essential for doing well at work because it helps you build good relationships, communicate well, and handle disagreements.

I agree with him completely. In my job, I have seen how EQ can make a big difference in how well someone does. For instance, I have met with people who are very smart but have low EQ. They had trouble connecting with me and answering questions about handling disagreements or difficult team members.

On the other hand, I have also met people with high EQ who were easy to connect with and could answer my questions well and confidently. Even if they didn’t have a lot of experience, I could tell they would be a great addition to any team.

So, if you want to do well at work, it’s a good idea to work on improving your EQ. Here are a few simple steps:

Know Yourself: The first step is to understand your own emotions. What upsets you? How do you react in different situations? When you know yourself better, you can handle your emotions better.

Understand Others: It's also important to understand other people's emotions. Notice their body language and how they speak. Try to see things from their point of view.

Communicate Well: EQ helps you communicate well. Practice expressing your thoughts and feelings clearly. Also, listen to others and be open to feedback.

Handle Conflict: Disagreements are normal, but it’s essential to handle them in a good way. People with high EQ can solve problems calmly and helpfully.

In addition to these steps, here are some qualities that recruiters like to see in people with high EQ:

Self-awareness: You should know your own emotions and understand how they affect your behavior. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

Empathy: You should understand other people’s feelings. This will help you build better relationships and communicate well.

Social Skills: You should get along well with others. This includes building good relationships, working together, and solving problems.

If you show these qualities in your interviews and at work, you are on your way to becoming a valued member of any team.