Emotional intelligence is a critical skill to look for in employees, as it enables them to be better communicators and team players by getting a better grasp of their own and their co-workers’ emotions. If properly managed, hires with high emotional intelligence can become great and inspiring leaders for the rest of the team, leading to increased productivity and overall better morale.
Unfortunately, many businesses still don't seem to see the need for including emotional intelligence as part of their hiring criteria. The result is an efficient group of workers who may lack the soul a company needs to connect to customers. Below, 10 contributors to Forbes Human Resources Council look at how emotional intelligence can help businesses make a more significant impact and why it's so essential for potential hires.
Members explain how emotional intelligence can improve business results across an organization.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Increasing Collaboration And Productivity
Empathy increases collaboration and productivity among teams. People with empathy understand how others feel, so they’re able to build strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust. They’re also good communicators because they take others’ feelings into account, which is more important than ever through the COVID-19 pandemic. - Kim Pope, WilsonHCG
2. Providing Psychological Safety
Emotional intelligence contributes to the ability to provide psychological safety, which is a critical component of employee engagement — more specifically, the desire to produce discretionary effort. If you want your employees to do more because they care, they have to feel the reciprocity that they are cared about. - Elisa Garn, GBS Benefits
3. Reducing Miscommunication
In all of my years working with leaders and employees, the most common causes of conflict have been miscommunications and misunderstandings. Strong emotional intelligence skills alleviate this. With that kind of unproductive conflict removed, the team and organization can focus their energy and effort on moving forward. - Ben DeSpain, Velocity, a Managed Services Company
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4. Promoting Teamwork And Relationships
Potential hires who demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence often excel at skills such as active listening and understanding others' perspectives, meaning they of course can benefit the business in customer-facing positions, but also as team members who actively work with others in a way that promotes teamwork and relationship-building, both of which lead to better business outcomes. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.
5. Improving Problem-Solving
People with emotional intelligence skills are able to leverage their strengths and manage their weaknesses. They have the ability to understand different perspectives while managing their emotions. Therefore, hiring people who have emotional intelligence skills will lead to better collaboration, enhanced problem-solving, high-performing teams, and improved business results. - Ochuko Dasimaka, Career Heights Consulting, Inc.
6. Empathizing With The Customers
All employees, whether they work in customer service, the IT department, or in any other part of the organization, need to be able to put themselves in the customers' shoes. Whether customers are internal or external, the ability to deeply emphasize with their needs and internalize their perspectives is critical to business success. Pervasive empathy across an organization can set it apart. - Heide Abelli, Skillsoft
7. Helping Build More Cohesive Teams
Simply put, employees who are keenly aware of and able to control their emotions are easier for employers to manage and more pleasant for other employees to work with. By targeting candidates with high EQ in the application and interview process, hiring managers can build cohesive teams while boosting employee satisfaction and engagement, improving client relations and reducing turnover. - John Feldmann, Insperity
8. Enhancing Diversity And Inclusion
Empathetic leadership boosts business results. In 2020, high EQ is the primary enabler of both individual and organizational performance. Leaders who lead with empathy are better able to create a positive climate so people can do their best work. Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives will be more fruitful as new hires with high EQ add value to the diverse backgrounds and cultures that already exist in our organizations. - Jay Polaki, HR Geckos
9. Ensuring Quick Responses
Situational leadership and an ability to read a situation and react accordingly ensures you can appropriately respond to a problem on the spot. It can absolutely bolster a client's confidence, which can have a significant impact on a business's results. - Sarah Palmer, Hueman RPO
10. Adapting To Shifting Business Needs
People with strong EQ skills are better able to handle unexpected and shifting business needs. They can advocate for themselves and seek support and guidance when needed. Employing empathy to customers and colleagues has a positive impact on problem-solving and innovation and leads to more inclusive work cultures. These qualities contribute to the overall agility of the organization. - Darren Kimball, CFA, GetFive
