10 things to know about ‘emotional intelligence’
Consultant Bill Marklein says business leaders can enhance and grow their emotional intelligence, just as surely as they can expand their intellectual capacity.
That’s because emotional intelligence is a journey, not a destination, Marklein says.
So, what exactly is “emotional intelligence” anyway?
“Emotional intelligence is the ability to effectively manage our own emotions and the emotions around us, and it is quickly becoming the No. 1 competency for workplace leadership in the 21st century,” Marklein said. “Shareholders, associates, customers and all of humanity crave for a workplace culture that values and is committed to emotional intelligence. Everybody is looking for a better human connection experience.”
Marklein became fascinated by the concept of emotional intelligence while he was studying to earn his master’s degree in corporate communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
While working as the community relations director for the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce, Marklein expanded his knowledge about emotional intelligence in the workplace — so much so that he began to land national speaking gigs about the subject.
Sensing an opportunity, he resigned from his position at the chamber last March and founded a consulting company, Employ Humanity LLC, in Plymouth. And he’s not looking back. Marklein was a featured speaker on emotional intelligence at the American Chamber of Commerce Executives National Convention this year in Savannah, Ga.
“Humanity has a software, and that software is emotional intelligence,” Marklein said. “It is snowballing.
There’s a huge demand right now for E.I. Think about it: If you have a lot of the same technology your competitors have, your people make the biggest difference. Top talent is gravitating to companies that have a culture with emotional intelligence.”
I asked Marklein to share 10 ideas for business leaders (and anyone else) to upgrade their emotional intelligence:
Watch and observe your thoughts. “Our minds can become a snow globe of irrational thoughts, and leaders need to not attach to each snowflake. Watch and let go of the thoughts. This will position you to be in the present moment without judgment or biases,” Marklein said.
Find time to pause and unplug. “Disengage from technology and enjoy your immediate surroundings. Constant interaction with technology rewires our brain in a negative way.”
Embrace all emotions. “Negative emotions give us wisdom. Negative emotions are part of life and illuminate the positive emotions such as joy and peace.”
Strive to feel what others are feeling. “I often talk about the iceberg. We often judge and only view above the water, but there is a whole story underwater. Below the surface is the sweet spot.”
Be adaptable. “Life is always changing, and we need to adapt to different personalities and social scenes. Feel the mood of the room you enter and people in your presence and respond accordingly in a kind manner.”
Have an awareness that the workplace is a portal to inspire your employees to be the best version of themselves and provide them resources to thrive. “It is not worklife balance, because balance implies polar opposites. It is work-life integration, which is the social awareness and social management that work affects the home and vice-versa and that there is a community outside of your work walls.”
Model the behavior desired in your culture. “Culture change starts with self-management. You need to model the behavior desired for your people.”
Practice gratitude. “Be thankful for everything you have, both personally and professionally, and watch how this gives you a growth mindset, mindfulness and increased positive energy.”
Visualize the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally. “Personally could very well be a family vacation or family photo, and professionally could be achieving a company milestone or award. Have this image ready at all times for when you become emotionally hijacked.”
Have a growth mindset to always develop and improve your human connection skills. “Emotional intelligence is like a muscle that constantly needs attention and definitely can be developed over time. Emotional intelligence is an amazing human-only competency that will make you the best leader in and outside the workplace, and you will never be replaced by automation, technology or time,” Marklein said. Steve Jagler is the business editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. C-Level stands for high-ranking executives, typically those with “chief” in their titles. Send C-Level column ideas to him at steve.jagler@ journalsentinel.com.