[This article is part of the Employee Edge: Sharpen Your Skills & Drive Your Impact series from Total Career Management Services.]
Emotional intelligence means you understand your own feelings and can manage them well. It also means you recognize and understand the feelings of others. This skill is crucial for building strong relationships and working smoothly with colleagues.
Here are five ways you can boost your emotional intelligence:
- Recognize your emotions: Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. Try to name your emotions and understand what triggers them.
- Manage your reactions: Once you recognize an emotion, learn to control how you react. Take a moment to pause before responding, especially when feeling strong emotions.
- Practice empathy: Try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Imagine how they might feel in a given situation and why.
- Listen actively: Really hear what others say, both with their words and their body language. Show that you are engaged and care about their message.
- Communicate effectively: Express your thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully. Also, learn to read non-verbal cues from others.
By regularly practicing these actions, you strengthen your emotional intelligence and contribute even more effectively to our team.
You can find these articles and other resources on Total Career Management Services on UCOR Hub. You can contact one of the career counselors by emailing totalcareer@orcc.doe.gov.
