Gordon Tredgold posted the following article on become better at Emotional Intelligence and becoming a better leader.
10 simple things you can do to improve your EQ:
1. Listen twice as much as you talk.
When we listen, we show people that they are valued.
2. Respond, rather than react.
Reacting is when we unconsciously experience and emotional trigger that cause us to express that emotion. When we respond, we notice how we are feeling, and we consciously decide how we will respond.
3. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
The more we understand the perspective of others, the easier it will be for us to understand any resistance or issues that they will have.
4. Apologize directly if you are at fault.
Nothing helps us build trust and rapport quicker than owning up to our mistakes and apologizing.
5. Don’t interrupt others or change the subject.
Stay with the conversation, listen, feel the emotion but try not to let it control you. It’s not easier, does come easier with practice.
6. Be vulnerable.
Leaders don’t have to be superman or superwoman for that matter. When we show vulnerability, it allows us to make better connections with people.
7. Empathize with others.
To better understand empathy, we must first understand our feelings and why we react the way we do. Start to increase this understanding by noticing the way you feel, and asking yourself why you feel this way, or what triggered this feeling.
8. Create a positive environment.
We create a more positive environment when we smile which releases endorphins make us feel less stressed and more relaxed.
9. Ask don’t tell.
When we ask people, we show respect; it also changes the tone in which we ask. When we tell people, it’s much more like a command, and no one what’s to be commanded.
10 Praise more.
We all crave recognition, and what we recognize gets repeated.
Be aware of what’s going on around you and look to praise people you see doing a good job.
