Emotions can have a powerful effect on the job. Think about your typical workday. Do you walk in with a plan of what needs to be done for the day? Are there times when, after the first 10 minutes, that plan is out the window? How do you handle that? How do you deal with the stress? How do you manage an ever-increasing workload? If you take the time to understand the feelings and emotions of others and yourself, you can reduce stress, lessen conflict, improve relationships with others, and be more productive. That’s what emotional intelligence is all about.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
In general, intelligence is the capacity for reasoning, understanding new information, learning things, and being mentally active. But emotional intelligence is a specific type of intelligence and is composed of four competencies:
1. Self-awareness — accurately sensing and identifying your feelings
2. Self-regulation — managing your responses to emotions by understanding them and using that understanding to direct your behavior
3. Self-motivation — directing the power of your emotions toward a purpose that will motivate and inspire you
4. Empathy — understanding and sharing another person’s experiences and emotions and responding with sensitivity and compassion.
Mastering these four competencies will pave the way to the fifth component:
5. Effective relationships.
This week’s Friday’s Five post was based on materials found in the CTC Certification Program.
