How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Your Advantage
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us know adaptability is a crucial skill in today’s world as we deal with a changing work scene and world landscape.
We know we need to target the right fields, and cultivate key skills, but we may also need to be good at coping with change.
That’s how emotionally intelligent people work comfortably and get promoted. According to FastCompany’s report from author Harvey Deutschendorf, here's what they do best.
They know how to read people - As the workplace changes, not everyone says what they really think. It’s a good idea to learn how to read body language to work well with everyone. If someone nods and smiles, but also crosses their arms and hunkers down, you can be pretty sure they have mixed reactions. The more quickly you spot cues like a shifting gaze, nervous tapping, or slumped posture, the better you can handle changes. When you spot the cues, you can choose the right words and gestures to keep everybody working together.
They know when they are too complacent - We all like to create work grooves where everything fits and flows perfectly, but that can also be a temptation to stay rooted in the same patterns. Emotionally intelligent people keep an eye on their grooves and try to challenge themselves on a regular basis. That gives them the advantage of knowing when they should bring in new ideas or rethink current routines to stay competitive. They are seldom surprised because they make the effort to stay aware of the world around them.
They welcome new ideas and invite interaction - As we sail our ideas out there, other equally interesting suggestions may come up. The people who move ahead know this and reach out to work with others. They are the people who pull everyone together and blend individual work contributions into amazing projects. That kind of openness and creativity takes practice, but usually pays off.
They can adjust to surprises and reversals - Not every project scores the first time. They know that and remain calm. Usually, they step back, find out what has happened, and create new approaches. They know it is better to move slowly to adapt instead of reacting quickly and doing the wrong thing.
Reading other people, inviting interactions and staying aware may be the best ways to score. Keep them in mind the next time you run into changes in your workplace.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Huntington Beach, Calif.