As we continue to navigate towards work productivity through this pandemic, it is no secret that mental and emotional health have been taking their toll on most employees. We wrote in previous articles how companies have started to tectonically emphasize the importance of emotional quotient (EQ) over intelligence quotient (IQ) among their employees.
More often than not, however, we seem to grapple with how we want to take the first step in improving our EQ since most of us are used to focusing on IQ, particularly on how to solve problems quickly and efficiently, at times compromising one’s overall well-being.
This shift of focus can be quite daunting. Nevertheless, just like any other process, we can start with the simplest of steps. Here are some simple yet effective ways to start harnessing emotional intelligence in the workplace.
Attitude of Gratitude
As the old adage goes, attitude is the gift that keeps giving. A study by a pair of UC Davis and University of Miami researchers did echo the perspective on increased mental and overall well-being derived from consistent documentation of one’s blessings. If members in organizations start to adopt such an attitude of simply saying “Thank You” or “Nice Work”, just imagine the positive impact it would have to the person and his or her productivity as a whole. It’s a win-win situation, both for the company’s balance sheets and the employees’ wellness.
Tear Down Walls (well, cubicles)
Of course, tearing down and destroying office spaces should not be taken literally considering most of us are now working remotely and are stuck within the confines of Zoom or Google meet tabs. What we’re trying to say here can be summed up in one question: “How can we help?”
In a book by the business executive who helped Campbell’s Soup’s turnaround to profitability, Douglas Conant, a situation was shared wherein a colleague of Conant’s would answer the phone with the same four-word question, every time he introduces himself. As simple as a gesture it was, it did change a lot of lives – paving the way for understanding each individual’s motivations and reservations – creating bridges, rather than useless boundaries.
Go Slow to do Mo’
The pandemic has really forced us to take a seat back and take things into perspective. At first, such a step might be counterproductive. However, studies or data are not necessary in proving this point. It is indeed through taking a step back and taking a deep breath that we learn how to compartmentalize and prioritize things as we get overwhelmed with the pressure of doing things all at the same time. We at Serbizyo discuss such related topics in some of our weekly webinars and provide tips on how to prioritize stuff which can be overwhelming at times.
