Travis Bradberry says that there is an enormous amount of research suggesting that emotional intelligence (EQ) is critical to your performance at work. TalentSmart has tested the EQ of more than a million people and found that it explains 58% of success in all types of jobs. EQ is a powerful way to focus your energy in one direction with tremendous results. But there’s a catch. EQ won’t do a thing for you if you aren’t genuine.
“Authenticity requires a certain measure of vulnerability, transparency, and integrity.” Janet Louise Stephenson
1. Genuine people don’t try to make people like them.
They know that some people will like them, and some won’t. And they’re OK with that. They’re willing to make unpopular decisions and to take unpopular positions if that’s what needs to be done.
2. They don’t pass judgment.
Genuine people are open-minded, which makes them approachable and interesting to others. Having an open mind is crucial in the workplace, as approachability means access to new ideas and help.
3. They forge their own paths.
Their direction comes from within, from their own principles and values. They do what they believe to be the right thing, and they’re not swayed by the fact that somebody might not like it.
4. They are generous.
They are unfailingly generous with whom they know, what they know, and the resources they have access to. They want you to do well more than anything else because they’re team players and they’re confident enough to never worry that your success might make them look bad. In fact, they believe that your success is their success.
5. They treat everyone with respect.
Genuine people are unfailingly polite and respectful because they believe they’re no better than anyone else.
6. They aren’t motivated by material things.
They don’t need fancy, shiny things to be happy. Their happiness comes from within, as well as from the simpler pleasures – such as friends, family, and a sense of purpose – that make life rich.
7. They are trustworthy.
Genuine people mean what they say, and if they make a commitment, they keep it.
8. They are thick-skinned.
They’re able to objectively evaluate negative and constructive feedback, accept what works, put it into practice, and leave the rest of it behind without developing hard feelings.
9. They put away their phones.
When genuine people commit to a conversation, they focus all their energy on the conversation. They create connection and find depth even in short, everyday conversations. This makes it easy for them to ask good questions and relate what they’re told to other important facets of the speaker’s life.
10. They aren’t driven by ego.
They don’t need the admiration of others in order to feel good about themselves. They simply do what needs to be done.
11. They aren’t hypocrites.
They practice what they preach. They’re blind to their own weaknesses. However, when there is a problem, they fix it.
12. They don’t brag.
They are confident in their accomplishments, but they also realize that when you truly do something that matters, it stands on its own merit, regardless of how many people notice or appreciate it.
