If you ask anyone to list the basic things needed to begin a business, everyone will talk about capital, a website, a business email and a phone number. It is highly unlikely that most people would think of emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence, otherwise known as emotional quotient, is the ability to identify, understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people you relate with. It is the ability to manage emotions positively to relieve stress, communicate effectively and defuse conflict.
In business, you are going to be dealing with people. Everyone has emotions, regardless of how much of a tough front they put up. It is important to know how to manage emotions, in order to relate successfully with people. A person with a high level of emotional intelligence knows what they’re feeling, understands these emotions, and how these emotions can affect other people.
These are some elements of emotional intelligence;
Self-awareness
This is the ability to recognize your own emotions and how they affect your behaviours. It is the mindfulness of how you are feeling and why you feel that way. Self-awareness helps you understand things from different perspectives and can help to build better relationships.
Self-control
The ability to control yourself and your emotions, particularly in difficult situations. It is the ability to keep disruptive emotions and impulses in check. This is not the same as suppressing your emotions but controlling them. With self-control, you manage your disruptive impulses and destabilizing emotions, staying clear-headed and calm.
Empathy
This is the ability to understand and be sensitive to the emotions of other people. It is beyond sympathy. Sympathy is the ability to recognize other people’s feelings, but empathy is the ability to put yourself in their place and be sensitive to their plight.
Adaptability
This is the quality of being able to adjust to changing factors and new conditions. It is the emotional competence that entails having the flexibility to handle change, new challenges and balance multiple demands.
Social skills
These are the emotional intelligence skills that enable one to connect, interact and work effectively with others. Having strong social skills help you to develop a stronger understanding of yourself and to build meaningful relationships with other people
Influence
The ability to have an effect on the behaviours of other people. People who are emotionally intelligent can express their ideas in a way that will appeal to others.
Businesspeople or customer service personnel who are emotionally intelligent, understand how to relate effectively with customers, manage situations and reduce conflict
