There’s been a lot of talk about hard and soft skills recently. Both are essential, but soft skills seem to be winning in the eyes of hiring managers. For remote team leaders or anyone in a management role, emotional intelligence is one of the most vital soft skills to possess.
How would your employees describe you? Do they feel comfortable reaching out to you when they need assistance? Do you present yourself well on camera and through written communication?
In the realm of successful leadership, emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role. It not only aids in fostering strong relationships but also serves as the cornerstone for motivation and inspiration.
Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ or emotional quotient, helps leaders control their emotions, react well in challenging situations, relate to others, empathize, and improve interpersonal relationships.
A survey by Gitnux shows that 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence.
The Harvard DCE argues that emotional intelligence is a hard skill as it can be taught, coached, and practiced. That is true, but changing someone’s values and personality from zero would be difficult. If you want to read more about hard and soft skills, click here.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and use emotions positively. Emotional intelligence is often described as a set of six skills:
1. Self-awareness
Self-awareness allows you to recognize your emotions and understand why you are feeling a certain way. Being self-aware also includes knowing how your actions and moods may affect those around you.
Self-aware individuals are open to feedback, willing to reconsider decisions and adjust their course of action when necessary, demonstrating flexibility and resilience.
In the workplace (virtual or not), this means thinking things through, being confident in your decisions, being open to learning new methods, and knowing that you’re doing what you think is best at the moment for everyone involved.
2. Self-regulation
A wave of emotion can take even the strongest person down. Self-regulation is knowing when the right time is to express and share your feelings and taking responsibility for your actions.
At work, this means not confronting an employee about a mistake they made in front of everyone during a coffee break. It also means not reacting wildly to inconvenient news. Don’t hide your emotions; express them at the right time.
3. Empathy
Empathy connects with emotional intelligence as it allows you to understand why another person is acting or reacting the way they are. It is the ability to understand how someone else feels, even if it’s not the same reaction you would have. Emotionally intelligent individuals can adapt their decisions based on changing emotional cues and social dynamics.
As an employer, this is a great asset, especially with diverse teams. An empathetic manager is strong but can spot injustice and acknowledge issues their staff may be facing.
4. Decision Making
We make approximately 35,000 decisions a day. As a leader, your choices affect many more people than just you. They affect employees, clients, families, and other businesses. Emotionally intelligent leaders make decisions based on more than external rewards (money, fame, recognition).
Decision-making within the emotional intelligence framework is about making mindful, empathetic, and people-centered choices. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to make decisions that positively impact themselves, their teams, and their organizations, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
5. Social Skills
Your social skills are much more than what you say. They also include your non-verbal cues and ability to make an excellent first impression and build and uphold relationships.
Aside from maintaining good relationships with clients, emotionally intelligent leaders are keen to create and maintain good relationships with their employees, creating an environment of safety and trust.
6. Motivation
Emotionally intelligent leaders understand how to motivate themselves and others. When making decisions related to goals and objectives, they consider the emotional aspects of motivation. They inspire and drive others by aligning decisions with shared values and aspirations, creating a sense of purpose and enthusiasm.
Why Is It Important for Remote Leaders to Have Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is vital for remote leaders because it allows them to:
- Understand and manage their own emotions
- Build strong relationships with their virtual team members
- Resolve conflict effectively, no matter the form it appears
- Motivate and inspire their team members, which can be a challenge when not able to see their body language or hear their tone of voice
4 Ways to Develop or Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence
There are many ways to develop or enhance emotional intelligence. Just by reading this article, you’re on the right track. Some common methods include:
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help you to become more aware of your own emotions and how they are affecting you, allowing you to react thoughtfully instead of impulsively. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help in managing stress, improving focus, and enhancing emotional regulation.
There’s a great book by Brene Brown called The Atlas of the Heart that’s an excellent tool for anyone who struggles to pinpoint their emotions. There’s much more than happy, sad, angry, envious, and stressed.
Self-reflecting
Self-reflection is the process of thinking about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (past or present). To enhance emotional intelligence, reflect on past interactions, considering how you felt, how others might have felt, and what factors influenced these emotions.
Journaling can be a valuable tool for self-reflection, providing a structured way to explore your emotions and experiences. Through consistent self-reflection, you can identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement, fostering greater emotional self-awareness and empathy toward others.
Enrolling in Social Skills Training
Social skills training can help you to improve your communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and assertiveness skills. These programs often include role-playing, group discussions, and feedback sessions.
Hiring a Coach
Unlike social skills training, which is usually studied for a set amount of time and may result in a certification, coaching is a more personalized ongoing support system. A coach can assess your current emotional intelligence skills, identify areas for improvement, and design tailored strategies to enhance your emotional intelligence.
Coaches offer valuable feedback, challenging your assumptions and behaviors and providing constructive insights into your emotional responses and communication style. A coach can also hold you accountable for implementing changes, ensuring continuous growth in your emotional intelligence competencies.
