Today’s business leaders are not only interested in scaling their businesses and creating a legacy in their industries but also in creating supportive and safe environments for their employees. Organizations that take the time to develop these positive environments can enjoy better retention, increased productivity, and better overall employee satisfaction.
Creating a workplace where employees feel safe, valued, and empowered to bring their best to their jobs goes beyond simply having written policies or mission statements. A long-lasting, supportive, and safe culture requires emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions, as well as those of others. When leaders form their company culture around emotional intelligence, they consider their employees’ needs, emotions, and values.
Emotional Intelligence Strategies
There are several strategies leaders can use to infuse their company culture with emotional intelligence, but it all begins with practicing what they preach. By modeling emotionally intelligent behaviors, leaders can show employees how to approach work with empathy, active listening, and compassion.
Training programs go a long way in instilling emotional intelligence concepts into a company’s culture. Training that focuses on positive conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and stress management can help employees handle their jobs in a healthier way and help everyone within the organization feel safer at work.
Support networks are also critical to creating a supportive environment for employees. Companies can develop mentoring programs and encourage social interaction between employees so people feel supported and less isolated. Employees will be more likely to feel heard and valued if leadership takes a vested interest in mentoring and guiding.
Any company culture that leads with emotional intelligence must have open lines of communication. Organizations strengthen employees’ trust muscles by creating safe channels for them to communicate any issues or feelings that may arise within their jobs. Leaders can have regular one-on-one conversations and check-ins with employees through surveys and meetings to ensure the lines of communication are open.
Emotional intelligence in business is built around understanding the position of other people and leading with empathy. Employees want to feel as if their individual circumstances are considered, rather than simply being viewed as just another faceless number within the organization. When employees know they are well-supported and have autonomy in their roles, they will have higher job satisfaction and loyalty to the organization.
Emotional Intelligence and Curbing Workplace Harassment and Bias
Even as workplaces have evolved, harassment and intimidation still endure. Leading with emotional intelligence can help create a culture that lessens incidents of bias.
For example, individuals with high emotional intelligence can better recognize discomfort, anger, or sadness in others, so they are usually more adept at noticing interactions that could be considered harassment and intervening before the issue escalates. A tone of respect and inclusivity is built when leaders use emotional intelligence to set an organization’s policies, procedures, and goals. Within these environments, the ongoing issue of harassment or bias has little room to grow.
Part of the Workplace Structure and Roles
Emotional intelligence has become integral to any organizational structure. For modern businesses to succeed and foster growth and employee retention, they must build emotional intelligence into their procedures, HR policies, communication styles, and overall mission. By leading with empathy and understanding, and by valuing employees on an individual level, leaders can help head off issues such as harassment and workplace bias.
Emotional intelligence is not just a vital part of workplace structure; it is essential for employees to bring emotional intelligence to their roles. According to studies, emotional intelligence is a top sought-after skill by employers, and the same studies have shown that emotional intelligence can predict up to 67 percent of a leader’s effectiveness and 75 percent of job success.
Ultimately, emotional intelligence is a critical part of an organization, from the top down. As the workplace continues to evolve, emotional intelligence will remain significant and a smart way to improve company culture and help your organization thrive.
