Emotional intelligence can be developed. There are a variety of online tests that you can take to establish your current EQ rating. These include the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), which is available here.

Simple steps you can take include:

• Really observe how you react to others. Be honest about how you think and interact with your work colleagues. Maybe you need to take time before you respond.
• Instill confidence. Demonstrate that you are responsible for your own actions and do not openly blame others
• Be humble rather than always seeking approval for your work
• Praise and develop others
• When faced with stressful or pressurised situations, reserve judgment, remain calm and do not allocate blame to others
• Be flexible in your behaviours and accept feedback positively
• Focus on the team rather than yourself
• Be patient with others and recognise that everyone has the ability to perform; avoid stereotyping people Disrupt personal mindsets; challenge your own beliefs, attitudes and assumptions
• Reflect on daily events and consider what learnings you can take to improve your performance.

Know yourself and others

Jack Canfield, in his series of books, claims that most people blame outside forces for what happens to them. His success principles are: 

• Take 100 per cent responsibility for your life and the results you get
• Decide what you really want
• Make sure you set your goals
• Visualise what you want as an outcome every day to help you achieve what you want in life
• Commit to constant improvement
• Take action
• Take risks and respond to feedback
• Practise perseverance
• Learn more to earn more
• Redefine your time – when are you most successful – and do your best work then.

Core to these principles is the ability to recognise and build upon your own personal. This in turn will allow you to capitalise on opportunities you come across along the way. Do you have a personal brand? Are you self-aware? Take time now to create your portfolio of strengths and identify how you will promote these to their fullest to achieve the rewarding career that you really want.

 

 

References and further reading

• Korn Ferry Institute
• Belbin
• Chicken Soup for the Soul
• The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT)

 

The next step is to put these ideas into action. Finish by recording your learning outcomes.