Trauma-Informed Organization: Emotional Intelligence

Posted on January 27, 2022

There are many links between emotion and intelligence. When we learn to be aware of not only our own feelings, but also the feelings of others, this affects our behaviors, relationships and helps us succeed in a trauma-informed organization.

Historically, showing or having emotions, especially in a workplace, was viewed as showing weakness, especially from someone that is in a leadership position. Fortunately, we now know that emotional intelligence in the workplace has shown to be a critical factor in success. Work environments can be filled with a range of emotions—from excitement about completing a big project to anxiety about change or heartbreak over a loss. How well we manage these feelings shows our level of emotional intelligence.

There are four elements to emotional intelligence:

• Self-awareness: ability to recognize one’s feelings and emotions

• Self-regulation: managing one’s feelings and learning how to adapt to different situations

• Empathy: ability to see what other people are going through

• Social Skills: knowing how to react in social situations

Why is emotional intelligence important?

It only takes one person with a low emotional intelligence to increase the likeliness of conflicts, low job performance and high turnover rate. Low emotional intelligence can cause communication difficulty, lack of trust in communicating feelings, and can result in silos where communication occurs only when necessary due to fear of being hurt somehow.

High emotional Intelligence allows for stronger social relationships for both children and adults, more positive perceptions of individuals from others, better academic achievement, better work relationships and communication during work performance, and overall better psychological well-being.

Assess your Emotional Quotient (EQ):

• Mind Tools explains every metric and gives some tips on improving them.
• Institute for Health and Human Potential offers an interpretation, with some things to consider.

How can you improve your EQ?

• Identify your emotions and name them. Then choose to change your response as needed.
• Ask for feedback. Ask people you work with, friends and family how they would rate your emotional intelligence.
• Read. Reading from another person’s perspective can help improve your social awareness. Here are a couple books about emotional intelligence to add to your reading pile:
  Emotional Intelligence: Build Strong Social Skills and Improve Your Relationship by Raising your EQ with Proven Methods and Strategies by Morten Johnson
  Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: How to Use EQ to Build Strong Relationships and Thrive in Your Career by Mark Craemer
• The gym can be a wonderful place to clear your mind and reflect on yourself. But where can you go?
  If you participate in the Sanford Insurance plan, you can sign up for a gym membership that is part of the fitness reimbursement program.
  
  Planet Fitness, in both Rapid City and Sioux Falls, is a participating gym for the reimbursement program, with low membership fees and flexible hours. Or click here to find other participating gyms in your area and to sign up for reimbursement.
  
  Planet Fitness:
  Rapid City: 2200 N Maple Ave, Unit 460B Rapid City, SD 57701 (605)-343-2255
  Sioux Falls: 1509 W 41^st Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 330-9990

Resources:

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: What You Should Know - Leaders.com

Emotional Intelligence at Work - HelpGuide.org

How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence - Professional Development | Harvard DCE