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  • The Ultimate Guide to Emotional Intelligence at Work

    Emotional intelligence (EI), a term first popularised by Daniel Goleman in the 1990’s, is an essential skill in the workplace. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about emotional intelligence at work. From understanding its core principles to learning actionable strategies for improvement, you’ll discover how EI can unlock your potential and reshape your workplace culture. What is emotional intelligence? There are multiple definitions of emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ. The common theme across all these definitions is that emotional intelligence involves using emotions in an intelligent and meaningful way. One popular definition, derived from the EQ-i 2.0 model of emotional intelligence, refers to EI as a set of emotional and social skills that collectively establish how well you perceive and express yourself, develop relationships, cope with challenges and use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way. Learn more about emotional intelligence and the EQ-i 2.0 model. It’s not purely about emotions and being overly emotional. This idea is summarised well by emotional intelligence expert, and co-author of the MSCEIT 2 , David Caruso, who once said: ‘It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head – it is the unique intersection of both.’ Why Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Workplace Success Research shows the many benefits of emotional intelligence in the workplace, including: Improved job performance & job satisfaction – People with higher levels of EI are more likely to perform better in their role, leading to increased job satisfaction. Effective leadership skills – Research shows that emotional intelligence predicted high performance as a leader 80% of the time and has consistently been linked to effective, transformational leadership styles. Enhanced team work and collaboration – Emotional intelligence is associated with better communication, relationships and cooperation between team members. Higher levels of wellbeing & resilience – Studies indicate that emotionally intelligent individuals are better able to cope with stress, change and the cognitive, emotional and physical demands of their jobs. Increased staff retention and reduced employee turnover – When measured within recruitment and selection processes, emotional intelligence can improve retention rates and predict candidate suitability. Download our Introduction to Emotional Intelligence Brochure  to learn more about EI and its importance in the workplace. Signs of emotional intelligence at work How can you spot whether you, or your colleagues, are emotionally intelligent? Here are just a few signs to look out for: Individuals with LOW emotional intelligence… Individuals with HIGH emotional intelligence… Ignore their emotions and are unaware of how they impact their work and decisions Are aware of their emotions and how they impact the people around them Focus on themselves and lack sensitivity towards others Actively listen to other people’s problems and consider their feelings Engage in transactional relationships where necessary Build long-lasting, meaningful relationships across the organisation Let people know what they think or feel, without considering how this comes across Communicate their thoughts and opinions in a constructive and respectful way Allow emotions to cloud their judgement and decision making Make balanced and considered decisions, without being swayed by their emotions Struggle to cope under pressure and resist change Adapt well to organisational change and stressful circumstances Become overwhelmed in emotional situations and respond rashly Remain calm and composed in emotionally charged situations Learn more about emotionally intelligent behaviours by watching ‘Developing Emotional Intelligence’ – part of the EQ Extra series . Measure your emotional intelligence with the EQ-i 2.0 assessment. How to develop your workplace EQ If the signs of low emotional intelligence above resonate with you, or you simply want to build on your existing skills, try the following to start developing your emotional intelligence today: Increase your emotional self-awareness Often considered the cornerstone of emotional intelligence, being aware of your emotions is the first step towards being able to manage them. To begin developing your emotional self-awareness, you need to take the time to consciously reflect about how you are feeling. Set regular times throughout the day to make a note of the emotions you are experiencing. This will help you become more attuned to how you feel at work, and will eventually become an automatic process. Practice active listening Active listening is a key workplace skill that improves communication and helps you to better understand other people’s feelings and perspectives. Next time you are in a conversation with a colleague, practice listening to them without interrupting or thinking about your response. When they have finished, summarise what you have heard to check your understanding. This leaves the person feeling respected and acknowledged; and ensures you have a clear understanding of the situation. Learn effective stress management strategies Emotionally intelligent individuals are often better at coping with stressful and emotionally charged situations. So, learning to manage your stress is a useful way of developing your emotional intelligence. Consider techniques such as taking regular breaks from your work, practicing mindfulness, exercising and talking to others about how you are feeling. Discover how EQ Extra can help you develop all areas of emotional intelligence at work. EQ Tools for Professionals and Organisations There are a number of tools available to help assess and develop emotional intelligence in the workplace. Here are just 3 to get you started: EQ-i 2.0 & EQ 360 emotional intelligence assessments The EQ-i 2.0   (Emotional Quotient Inventory) is the world's most popular emotional intelligence assessment, and measures how often an individual displays different emotional and social skills in the workplace. This scientifically-validated assessment is supported by years of research and can be used within organisations for leadership development, team building, coaching and recruitment. The EQ 360  is a 360-degree emotional intelligence assessment. This questionnaire provides a deeper level of insight into an individual's emotional intelligence, by gathering information from their manager, colleagues and direct reports. Assess and develop emotional intelligence with the EQ-i 2.0 EQ Extra EQ Extra is a series of animated videos exploring the different areas of emotional intelligence and offering practical strategies for development. These videos are an ideal resource for individuals and organisations to understand and develop emotional intelligence in the workplace. Develop emotional intelligence with EQ Extra Emotional Intelligence Books You can also learn more about emotional intelligence, its importance in the workplace and how it can be developed by reading books authored by emotional intelligence experts. Here are just a few examples: The EQ Edge by Steven Stein & Howard Book The Emotionally Intelligent Manager by David Caruso & Peter Salovey Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Emotional Intelligence for Dummies by Steven Stein How to create an emotionally intelligent workforce  While emotional intelligence development is important at an individual level, organisations can help to build an EQ-focused environment across the entire workplace by: Building an understanding and awareness of EI To foster an emotionally intelligent culture within the workplace, people need to first understand what emotional intelligence is and why it is important to their roles. To do this, you could: Use emotional intelligence assessments, such as the EQ-i 2.0 or MSCEIT 2 , to raise individuals’ awareness of the relevant behaviours. Run workshops introducing the concept of emotional intelligence to the rest of the organisation. Highlight where emotionally intelligent behaviours relate to your organisation’s values and competencies, showing people how emotional intelligence is relevant in their day to day roles.   Talk to a consultant about running emotional intelligence workshops and competency mapping   Providing regular training, support and check ins to facilitate development Development does not happen overnight. To see long-lasting change, organisations need to invest in ongoing emotional intelligence development, such as: Regular EQ training sessions throughout the year where teams can discuss development strategies and set specific, actionable goals 1-2-1 sessions where individuals discuss progress towards their emotional intelligence goals, encouraging accountability Resources such as EQ Extra which can be used by employees for personal development over time   Use EQ Extra to support ongoing emotional intelligence development   Implementing interventions across all levels of the organisation Emotional intelligence is important for all employees within an organisation and should be prioritised for all employees, regardless of their job level. To promote emotionally intelligent behaviours across the organisation, you could: Start by developing leaders who can foster an emotionally intelligent culture within their teams and lead by example Offer online courses, such as EQ Extra , to all employees as a cost-effective development resource Introduce emotional intelligence during your recruitment and onboarding process so that new employees form good habits as soon as they join Use the EQ-i 2.0 to recruit emotionally intelligent individuals   Whether you are looking to develop emotional intelligence as an individual, or across an entire organisation, consider using tools such as EQ Extra  and the EQ-i 2.0 assessment  to enhance emotional intelligence at work and increase your chances of success.

  • What is Emotional Intelligence?

    Emotional intelligence has been cited time and time again as a beneficial skill for people to develop in the workplace. But what exactly does it mean? Emotional intelligence refers to a specific form of intelligence which is centred around using emotional information in a meaningful way. According to the EQ-i 2.0 model , emotional intelligence is defined as a set of emotional and social skills that influence the way we perceive and express ourselves, develop and maintain social relationships, cope with challenges and use emotional information in an effective way. The model breaks emotional intelligence down into 5 composite areas: Self Perception This area of emotional intelligence involves feelings of inner confidence, the pursuit of meaningful goals and an awareness of your emotions. Developing this area helps you to better understand yourself and increases your awareness of how your behaviours and emotions impact the people around you. Self Expression Self-expression includes communicating your thoughts, feelings and opinions in a constructive way and remaining self-directed. This is important because it helps you to motivate others, use your initiative, voice your opinions, and ensure that you have been understood and respected. Interpersonal This area of emotional intelligence focuses on building relationships with people in the workplace, actively listening to others and being considerate of their feelings. Cultivating stronger interpersonal relationships improves communication, teamwork, and trust amongst those your colleagues and team. Decision Making Decision making refers to using both emotional and logical information when making decisions and being aware of how emotions can impact this process. This reduces the risk of becoming overwhelmed or reacting hastily in emotionally charged situations, helping you to make more effective, balanced decisions. Stress Management This area of emotional intelligence involves having coping strategies to deal with stressful and unfamiliar situations and maintaining an optimistic outlook in life. Developing ways to deal with stress is important in order to manage organisational change, pressure and challenges in the workplace.   Despite what many people think, emotional intelligence is not purely about emotions and being overly emotional. Rather, it is about using emotions in an intelligent way. This idea is summarised well by emotional intelligence expert David Caruso, who once said: ‘It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head – it is the unique intersection of both.’ Learn more about each area of emotional intelligence and how they can developed with the EQ Extra series .

  • Why emotional intelligence is important in 2025

    Is emotional intelligence a characteristic you see across your organisation? Is it something you feel confident in yourself? If the answer is “no”, “uncertain”, or only “sometimes”, it may be time to make emotional intelligence (EQ) development a priority for 2025. And even if you answered “yes,” we discuss three key reasons why EQ should stay on your radar. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your emotions effectively. The EQ-i 2.0 model, an internationally recognised framework for assessing emotional intelligence, evaluates EQ across five key areas: Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Stress Management. Individuals with high emotional intelligence typically demonstrate a stronger awareness of their emotions and how these impact others, form meaningful relationships, solve problems effectively, and manage stress well. A New Era: Beyond IQ Historically, IQ was the primary measure associated with performance and leadership potential. However, recent studies indicate that individuals with higher levels of emotional intelligence not only surpass their peers in these areas, but also in well-being, resilience, earning potential, and job satisfaction. Today, EQ is widely considered the critical factor that distinguishes good performers from outstanding ones, underscoring its role in achieving long-term success in both people’s careers and personal lives. 1) Hybrid and Remote working Prior to 2019, only 4.7% of UK employees worked from home . Fast forward to 2024, and the Office for National Statistics  reports that over a quarter of Great Britain’s workforce now works in a hybrid setup. In the U.S., a McKinsey study found that 87% of employees seize the opportunity to work flexibly when given the chance. With benefits like improved work-life balance and enhanced well-being, hybrid and remote working seem set to stay. So, how can developing emotional intelligence support this new way of working? In hybrid and remote work environments, self-awareness and flexibility are essential. Individuals with high EQ are more likely to manage their time effectively, stay productive and work independently. High EQ is also linked to adaptability, making it easier to transition between different tasks and environments. One of the greatest challenges in hybrid and remote work is isolation, which can lead to a breakdown in communication between teams and leaders. Leaders with high emotional intelligence  can counteract this by maintaining engagement, actively reaching out, showing empathy and boosting motivation. They’re more attuned to team dynamics and individual differences, allowing them to communicate more effectively and foster a sense of connection and belonging in their teams. As hybrid and remote work continue to shape the modern workplace, emotional intelligence will be crucial for creating resilient, cohesive teams that thrive regardless of location. 2) AI and Automation In 2024, artificial intelligence (AI)  has been a major buzzword—some view it with apprehension, while others embrace it wholeheartedly. As we approach 2025, the question isn’t whether AI will continue to integrate into the workplace, but rather how prepared we are for its impact—and where emotional intelligence fits in. While artificial intelligence is designed to work autonomously and solve problems through data, skills like empathy, self-awareness, and optimism are essential differentiators that AI cannot replicate. EQ remains critical in adding a human-centric approach that is fundamental to an individual’s experiences in the workplace. Emotionally intelligent employees and leaders can leverage AI to enhance efficiency, without losing sight of people’s needs. Individuals with high EQ are also more able to adapt to changes in technology and are better equipped to foster a supportive environment, where they can address others' concerns. In 2025, emotional intelligence will be essential for adapting to AI while keeping the workplace fundamentally human-centred. 3) Diversity and Inclusion Individuals with high emotional intelligence build stronger, more meaningful connections and collaborate effectively within diverse teams. This is a crucial quality as companies increasingly prioritise diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices. In 2025, DEIB is likely to continue as a core function of many organisations, ensuring that employees feel seen, heard and valued. Emotionally intelligent employees bring the awareness and empathy to understand and appreciate differing perspectives. They tend to foster inclusive environments where all team members feel appreciated and empowered to contribute fully. Leaders with high EI are better equipped to address unconscious biases, promote equity, and cultivate a culture of respect and collaboration. By enhancing emotional intelligence, organisations can unlock the benefits of a diverse workforce. Emotional intelligence, when integrated into DEIB efforts, ensures that organisations move beyond ticking boxes, to truly embracing the unique strengths individuals bring from different perspectives, backgrounds, and mindsets. As workplaces continue to evolve, emotional intelligence helps employees adapt to new challenges, embrace continuous learning, and create inclusive, connected workplaces—qualities that will remain vital for organisational success well into the future. In 2025, emotional intelligence isn’t just a “nice-to-have” but a must-have for those looking to thrive in an increasingly complex and digital world. Developing emotional intelligence across your organisation can help ensure your teams stay resilient, adaptable, and connected, even as the workplace evolves. EQ Extra offers a practical way to get started, providing a series of video resources packed with tips and actionable steps to enhance emotional intelligence.

  • The Benefits of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

    You may be familiar with the term ‘competitive advantage’, where one organisation does, or has, something to make them stand out from their competition. But this is not the only type of advantage in the workplace. Your organisation can also get ahead by using emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence refers to a set of emotional and social skills that influence the way we perceive and express ourselves, develop and maintain social relationships, cope with challenges, and use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way. But you may be wondering, what is all the fuss about? Well, here are just 3 benefits of developing emotional intelligence in the workplace: 1) High performance Emotional intelligence is highly correlated with job performance as well as increased revenue growth in organisations. Additionally, emotional intelligence accounts for significant differences between high and low performance in various job roles and industries, such as lawyers, managers, debt collectors, salespeople, insurers, and athletes. 2) Effective leadership Emotional intelligence is a key driver for effective leadership and is linked to transformational leadership styles. In fact, according to Daniel Goleman, every style of leadership includes at least some emotionally intelligent behaviours. Research has found that emotional intelligence predicted high performance as a leader 80% of the time and that almost one-half of the skill set required for successful leadership is comprised of emotional and social skills. 3) Improved wellbeing and resilience Emotional intelligence is also associated with improved wellbeing and resilience, with research showing that emotional intelligence and happiness are positively correlated. Those with higher levels of emotional intelligence have more effective coping strategies in the face of setbacks, making them better able to cope with stress, challenges, and organisational change. So, if you are looking to enhance job performance, leadership, or wellbeing in your organisation, emotional intelligence could be the place to start. Find out more about emotional intelligence .   Goleman, D (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review, 78 (2), 78-90. MHS Staff. (2011). Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 (EQ-i 2.0) Technical Manual. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems Inc.

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