Working effectively in a team can be challenging! Using emotional intelligence to support relationship building with other employees is the best practice.
Use Emotional Intelligence to Navigate Team Dynamics.
Considering we don't always get to choose the team we work with within a professional setting, we require strong emotional intelligence to navigate employee relationships.
There will be occasions when you're assigned a project, and the team members are not on the same page as you. They may not share your vision, work ethic, or values. In this situation, the best practice is to proactively develop relationship management strategies to help foster winning outcomes with other employees.
There will be occasions when you're assigned a project, and the team members are not on the same page as you. They may not share your vision, work ethic, or values. In this situation, the best practice is to proactively develop relationship management strategies to help foster winning outcomes with employees.
Employees with High Emotional Intelligence Build Strong Relationships!
To build relationships with fellow employees, carefully observe the team members' body language and take cues from their non-verbal communication. Our body language has a critical impact on relationships. Use social awareness skills to listen actively as the discussion unfolds. These actions will develop your emotional intelligence and, without a doubt, build your relationships with team members.
Observe and Reflect
When meeting with your team, be sure to take note of your emotions and reactions to others. This form of observation will increase your emotional awareness. Take the time to review your notes and reflect on your behaviour afterward. Remember, you must manage your feelings regardless of the situation. Your emotions will try to get the best of you; however, you can't allow them to control your behaviour, especially when participating in adverse discussions and decision-making.
Each employee brings both personal baggage and preferences to the table. So, start by getting to know each team member, learn their strengths, preferences, and areas they need to develop. This process establishes common ground and encourages collaboration.
Try this Strategy to Avoid conflict with Team Members.
Keep in mind, there will be bumps along the way, so prepare for the inevitable relationship conflict that may arise between team members. One helpful strategy is to: listen, pause, and then respond. By doing this, we can carefully process the information and ensure our emotions are in check before we begin to speak with other employees.
It's essential to go into any new collaborative environment with an open mind and a positive attitude. Working as a team becomes more comfortable and much more effective when using our emotional intelligence skills to build trusting relationships. Incorporate these simple strategies to increase your emotional intelligence and support your relationships on your journey to excellence. If you would like to improve your self-awareness, a key component of emotional intelligence, consider taking a self-assessment to provide a personal analysis of your perception of your behaviour.
This article was originally published on June 16, 2018, and has been updated (June 2021).
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