What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotions and Emotional Intelligence are widely researched, with new insights being discovered regularly. Researchers Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer describe it as “the ability to monitor one’s own and other’s feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions.” There are three main models of emotional-social intelligence:
- Mayer & Salovey identify four components: perceive or sense emotions, use emotions to assist thoughts, understand emotions, manage emotions
- Goleman identifies five skills or competencies within EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, managing relationships, displaying empathy
- Bar-On identifies five focus areas: self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal, decision-making, and stress-management
Why is Emotional Intelligence Important in the Workplace?
There is no doubt that emotions shape everyday work experiences. Our perceptions of what is happening around us, or to us emotionally, are based on concepts of emotions we form throughout our personal and work experiences (from birth to now). Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a Professor of Psychology and Researcher at Northeastern University, describes that our emotional concepts influence how we make meaning, take action, and regulate our energy. Awareness of our emotions is critical for us to understand our behaviors in the workplace, especially those behaviors we need to change.
Emotional Intelligence skills are needed for teams to work together, solve problems, and create innovative solutions. According to the HBR article, What Makes a Leader, emotional intelligence accounts for nearly 90% of what moves people up the ladder when IQ and technical skills are about the same. Not only are careers derailed, but your salary potential significantly differs between people with high emotional intelligence and those with low emotional intelligence- it could be a $29,000-a-year difference.
How to Measure Emotional Intelligence?
There are various assessments used to measure emotional intelligence. We typically listen to our clients to uncover which will have the most significant impact based on their desired outcomes. Keep reading to learn a little more about each assessment.
Emotional & Social Competency Inventory (ESCI-360)
The survey, designed by Daniel Goleman in collaboration with Richard Boyatzis, assesses the participant’s demonstration of 12 key leadership competencies associated with emotional and social intelligence. Included in their emotional intelligence competency framework is
- Self Awareness (emotional self-awareness)
- Social Awareness (empathy, organizational Awareness)
- Self Management (emotional self-control, adaptability, achievement orientation, positive outlook)
- Conflict Management (influence, inspirational leadership, coach/mentor, conflict management, teamwork)
The ESCI consists of a self-assessment component and feedback from several sources (e.g., supervisors, direct reports, peers, and others). These other rates provide feedback on how frequently they demonstrate EI skills.
EQ-I 2.0
Based on Bar-On’s emotional intelligence model, this self-report assessment looks at social and emotional skills, stress management, and motivation. You will get overall results in self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal, decision-making, and stress management. Each of those results will go into further detail into 15 emotional intelligence competencies, skills, and concepts: self-regard, self-actualization, emotional self-awareness, emotional expression, assetiveness, independence, flexibility, stress tolerance, optimism, problem solving, reality testing, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, empathy, and social responsibility. This assessment takes about 20 minutes to complete and will provide you with insights into your areas of strength and growth.
EQ-I 2.0 360
Like the EQ-I 2.0, the EQ-I 360 provides detailed analysis by having raters provide feedback in addition to the individual self-assessment. The input will help shape your personal development goals and increase leadership effectiveness. Allowing for unlimited raters (Managers, Peers, Direct Reports, Friends), these observer ratings add additional perspectives and insights that will unlock more substantial insights into your strengths and growth areas.
How to Improve Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace?
Using the assessments to gain awareness of your emotional intelligence can improve your well-being, workplace and leadership performance, team member relationships, and communication. Awareness creates the space for learning, developing, and enhancing emotional intelligence.
We offer several emotional intelligence assessments and utilize them in several different ways to improve emotional intelligence in the workplace with our clients:
- Team coaching, and leadership development, helping our clients gain awareness of themselves and unlock the potential of both teams and leaders.
- Gain Awareness of new hires and how they will integrate into the organizational culture and how they will help the organization reach its full potential
- Understand the economic impact of differences between employees and departments within the organization that can lead to unhealthy conflict
Contact Us.
The Thriving Teams Institute is ready to help you and your team understand how you experience each other, and how you can improve your emotional intelligence to obtain a more positive work environment and get better business results.
To learn more about how we can help your teams THRIVE in your workplace, connect with us here.
Read more on emotional intelligence in the workplace:
How Leading with Intelligent Emotions Creates Trust and Safety on Teams
The Case for Emotional Intelligence in the VUCA Work Environment