{"id":9443,"date":"2023-04-07T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arliemediadesign.com\/?p=9443"},"modified":"2025-03-22T08:34:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T08:34:40","slug":"4-ways-to-improve-your-emotional-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happy.co.uk\/blogs\/4-ways-to-improve-your-emotional-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways To Improve Your Emotional Intelligence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Strengthening our EI means developing awareness of our feelings, which helps us manage how other people see us.  It can also help keep our sensitivity in check \u2013 for example, if your knee-jerk reaction to negative feedback is to be argumentative or aggressive, that\u2019s only going to be counterproductive. EI equips us calmly to accept and learn from critical feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we work on our own EI, we will also steadily become more aware of the emotions, needs and strengths of other people, allowing us to treat them with more respect and kindness, which will in turn build bonds and understanding within our teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sounds like good common sense doesn\u2019t it? But as with many things, it takes a bit of work to make it appear easy. Here are 4 suggested skills to set you on your way to building stronger EI and a happier, emotionally healthier workplace and personal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Develop self-awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

EI and self-awareness are closely linked. Limited self-awareness means we\u2019re not in tune with other people\u2019s perceptions of us which can cause all sorts of friction. By using your EI to question the way you respond to challenges, you can reflect upon things you might want to change and improve upon. How useful would that be, come appraisal time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping a journal of thought patterns and incidents that trigger strong emotions, can be extremely helpful. If you notice you always respond negatively to something, note it down and consider how you could respond better next time. When the situation recurs, consciously modify the way you deal with it. This will help manage stress, reduce conflict and improve the way others see you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grow your empathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you work on your own emotional responses, you\u2019ll start to become more aware of the emotions of others, and it will become increasingly difficult to display indifference to their concerns. By offering help, even if it\u2019s just \u2018a shoulder to cry on\u2019, you will begin to understand more about the emotions of other people, and your empathy will grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Practice active listening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a way of managing emotions during difficult conversations. Here are some tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n