Using EQ to Excel at Work
Emotional Intelligence – or EQ – is one of those nebulous terms we hear
perhaps a bit too often. It is an attribute employers assess before hiring
a job applicant, and can be gauged by the quality of responses to
interpersonal interview questions and reactions to situational questions.
According to a book we have read titled ‘Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can
Matter More than IQ and Working with Emotional Intelligence’, there are
five categories of emotional intelligence. Let’s look at them here.
1. Self-Awareness
A person with a good sense of self-awareness understands their strengths
and acknowledges their weaknesses. Self-awareness also allows one to see
how their words and actions might affect the people around them.
At an interview:
Highlight your strengths and relate them to your ability to deliver in the
workplace. Try to strike a balance between playing up your strengths and
appearing over-confident. It will also pay to humbly acknowledge job
functions you might need help succeeding in.
In the workplace:
With confidence that you have something to offer your team, ask them if you
can help in any way during hectic times. Some people might prefer to do
certain tasks individually, so avoid pushing it if they decline your offer.
2. Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is the maintenance of one’s emotional well-being. In order
to do this well, one has to monitor and control their emotions and display
appropriate behaviour according to what the situation calls for.
At an interview:
If you are asked a tough situational question, stop to think about your
answer instead of spouting whatever comes to mind. Allow your response to
suggest that you are a person who works towards an outcome that is the best
result for everybody, not an outcome that is self-serving and motivated by
your emotions.
In the workplace:
Understand that things do not always go the way you want in the workplace
and that your colleagues do not think the same way you do. It helps to
remind yourself not to take anything personally and to constantly monitor
your level of professionalism.
3. Motivation
Highly motivated individuals do not stop in their tracks when they
encounter any difficulty. They are driven by the prospect of success, even
if they know that achieving it requires immense effort.
At an interview:
If possible, highlight any challenging experience in school that tested
your resilience. There are bound to be challenging times or while you were
balancing multiple projects that required you to reach into the depths of
your mental strength.
In the workplace:
It is not difficult to show that you are a driven worker at work. Be
resolute in your belief that anything is possible if you do it with hard
work and unwavering optimism.
4. Empathy
Empathetic people make one feel comfortable and at ease. Their approachable
quality also assures us that we can always turn to them for sincere advice.
At an interview:
Empathy is closely linked to the ability to connect and engage. At your
interview, show that you are completely present in the interview room, be
sincere in your responses, and make your interview more of a conversation
than it is a Q&A session.
In the workplace:
Be the person whom people can be comfortable with! Actively listen to what
your mentors and colleagues share with you and show them you are listening
by offering your own perspective every now and then.
5. People Skills
If you are seen as someone with good people skills, you are seen as someone
able to communicate effectively with others. Individuals with good people
skills are more likely to come to a mutual understanding with others – good
for when you need to work on projects with various other stakeholders.
At an interview:
Shake off the nerves and articulate with confidence. Show your interviewers
that you are happy to be at the interview. Once again, highlight
experiences in your previous jobs that prove your ability to work in a
team!
In the workplace:
Show sincerity and respect to everyone you meet. This extends beyond your
colleagues and bosses – offer a word of kindness to the office cleaner or
pantry lady when you see them. Appreciate the presence of those around you
and you are bound to develop into a person with a much more positive
outlook in life.
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