Again and again I get asked from Executives around the world where they can use Emotional Intelligence and what most of the Executives don’t realize is that the most Leaders already use Emotional Intelligence in their daily life without realizing it (or they would not be where they are). These are things you do when you actually use your EI:
· You become more familiar with your own and other people's emotions. You can name them correctly, attribute them to the right sources, and avoid acting upon them too quickly.
· You can identify the way emotions are caused and understand the psychological factors beyond.
· You manage your emotions and behavior to handle different situations in a better way.
· You improve your self-regulation and cope with frustration in a smarter way to better reach your goals.
· You take advantage of emotional intelligence in managing your team in a motivating way.
· You build a strong, flexible and highly effective team - motivated by the right culture.
· You become good at triggering a decision – it goes faster, more effective and efficient.
· You deal with objections in a positive way.
· You inspire and motivate.
· You encourage confidence and trust.
· You enhance your conflict management skills.
· You conduct better performance reviews.
· You build more successfully relationships with other people.
· You improve your empathy. Are able to better identify other people's emotions - and understand their feelings and the reasons behind.
· You become better at listening to other people and become aware of what their feelings are – and where they come from. This will help you better identify the needs and wants of the people you try to lead.
· You become better at solving problems in relationships - to connect better with others - and maintain good relationships with honest expression of emotions based on diplomacy, consideration and respect. This will, for example, help you do much better in negotiations and in handling objections.
While every one of us, can agree that the Executives who master this, are truly great leaders, we all realize as well that these are competences are something that need to be practiced. In this process, just remember that no one ever learned to swim or ride a bicycle by simply reading a book on the subject or having someone tell you all about it. You learn to swim or to ride the bicycle by doing it. First someone must explain what you should do and how you should do it. Then you need more instruction and help as you start to practice it. The more you practice, the better you get. The same type of process is what you need to go through in your development of this Emotional Intelligence competence - to make certain that you pick up the type of skills and competencies that you need in order to grow, change or even become a peak performer.
I strongly believe that excellence is made, not born. That's why I am dedicated to help people grow.
Regards Mark
