Introduced by American psychologist Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence has transformed our understanding of interpersonal skills and leadership in the workplace. Daniel Goleman popularized this approach in the 90s, defining it as the ability to recognize, understand and manage our own emotions, while being able to understand and influence those of others. Unlike intelligence quotient, which measures cognitive abilities, emotional quotient evaluates our ability to navigate the sometimes tumultuous waters of human relationships.

According to Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence is based on five essential skills:

1. Self-awareness: the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions.
2. Self-control: the ability to manage emotions appropriately and constructively.
3. Motivation: the ability to use emotions to achieve goals and maintain commitment.
4. Empathy: the ability to understand and connect with the emotions of others.
5. Social skills: the ability to manage relationships and influence others in a positive way.

These skills go beyond the simple cognitive abilities measured by IQ, offering a richer perspective on how we interact with others and manage our own emotions at work.

The 5 essential skills of emotional intelligence

Here are five fundamental skills associated with emotional intelligence that play a crucial role in the workplace:

1. Active listening

Active listening is a communication technique that involves concentrating fully on the speaker, listening attentively without interruptions, and showing genuine understanding of the message. To improve your active listening skills, here are a few practical tips:

• Eliminate distractions: put your phone away and minimize interruptions.
• Use body language: nod your head and maintain eye contact to show your commitment.
• Ask open-ended questions and rephrase: this shows your understanding and involvement in the conversation.

2. Communicate effectively

Successful communication is more than just words. In the workplace, it also means mastering non-verbal communication, particularly during video conferences where body language and facial expressions play a crucial role. To hone your communication skills, follow these tips:

• Pay attention to your posture and gaze: position yourself correctly and maintain eye contact.
• Take care with your written messages: make sure there are no typos or spelling mistakes.
• Be clear and concise: formulate messages in such a way as to avoid any ambiguity.

3. Adapt to other people's communication styles

Each person has unique emotions and preferences, making it essential to adjust to different communication styles. The DISC method (Dominant, Influential, Stable, Conscientious) enables us to understand these varied profiles and adapt our way of communicating accordingly. This flexibility requires empathy and an understanding of interpersonal differences, which facilitates collective decision-making.

• With Dominants: opt for direct, concise communication. Emphasize results and concrete benefits, show confidence and demonstrate your mastery of the subject.
• With Influencers: value their ideas and create an open environment that encourages them to express themselves freely.
• With Stables: show patience and support. Show understanding, avoid unnecessary pressure and respect their need for stability.
• With the Conscientious: be detailed and precise. Provide solid data and evidence, respect their need for time to analyze information, and be organized and methodical.

Knowing how to identify different communication styles and demonstrate empathy can considerably improve your team's dynamics. This ability to adapt promotes smoother collaboration and more effective decision-making, by meeting individual needs while optimizing collective strengths.

4. Managing conflict and tension

Conflicts are inevitable, but developing emotional intelligence can help you manage them effectively. The OSBD method (Observation, Feeling, Need, Demand) method is an excellent tool for dealing with conflict. However, it is important to anticipate tensions by holding regular discussions to understand everyone's needs and emotions. Here's how managers can approach this approach:

Addressing needs, fears, feelings and desires

Managers need to identify their employees' professional and personal needs, recognize their fears such as the fear of failure or criticism, and create an environment where they can express themselves freely. Anticipating everyone's desires and aspirations helps to defuse tensions before they turn into conflicts. Then, sharing this information with the team fosters a climate of trust, where each member feels listened to and valued.

Regular, open discussions

• Regular "check-in" meetings: give everyone a chance to share their needs, fears, feelings and desires.
• Open communication channels: ensure smooth communication through team meetings, instant messaging platforms or anonymous feedback. 

Integrating these practices enables managers to anticipate tensions and defuse conflicts before they escalate. 

5. Know how to motivate

Motivation at work requires regular recognition, appreciation and encouragement. Offering recognition feedback and congratulating successes at appropriate moments are essential practices for maintaining a positive and productive work environment. Here are two approaches to incorporate into your managerial routine. 

Recognition feedback

Acknowledgement feedback is a common practice in which efforts and achievements are acknowledged on a regular basis. It's about recognizing a job well done and encouraging positive behavior.

• Practice feedback: give feedback on a regular basis to show that you appreciate everyone's efforts. For example, say: "I noticed that you took the initiative to solve this problem quickly, that's excellent!
• Use a benevolent tone: even for constructive remarks, choose words that show your support and desire to help progress. This creates a caring work environment.
• Be specific: instead of simply saying "Good job", explain what has been done particularly well. This shows that you pay particular attention to the details of your employees' work.

Congratulations

Praise for achievements, big or small, plays a key role in motivation. It's important to choose the right moment to express them to maximize their impact.

• opportune moments: congratulate your colleagues before a vacation, at the weekend or after a complicated meeting. For example, saying "Well done on your presentation today, it was clear and convincing" just before a weekend helps to end the week on a positive note.
• Express gratitude: show appreciation for everyone's contributions. A simple "Thank you for your excellent work on this project" can go a long way to reinforcing the feeling of being valued.
• Personalize congratulations: tailoring your congratulations to your employees' preferences and personalities makes the message more meaningful. Knowing your employees' interests and aspirations makes congratulations more authentic.

Integrating these practices and solutions cultivates a motivating and caring work environment, where every employee feels valued and encouraged to give their best. These little gestures, however simple, have a significant impact on team motivation and well-being.

Developing emotional intelligence

Developing your emotional intelligence is a real investment in your career and personal well-being. Here are a few solutions to help you progress:

Recommended training courses

1. Personal development programs: many platforms offer courses on emotional intelligence.
2. Individual coaching: working with a coach can help you better understand and manage your own emotional states, as well as improve your interpersonal skills.
3. Company seminars and workshops: taking part in seminars and workshops on emotional intelligence can strengthen team cohesion and improve the working atmosphere.
4. Reading and self-learning: books such as Emotional Intelligence or Primal Leadership offer valuable insights into the development of EI.
5. NUMA training: NUMA offers training focused on emotional intelligence, with modules on collaborative leadership that mention active listening, conflict and emotion management, and motivating oneself and teams.

Developing emotional intelligence is an ongoing process that offers considerable benefits both professionally and personally. The ability to master one's own emotions and understand those of others is essential to evolving in complex environments and interacting more effectively. This skill also strengthens leadership. In fact, it makes it easier to manage relationships with greater empathy, make more informed decisions and foster a climate of trust and collaboration within teams. Emotional intelligence thus contributes not only to better management of day-to-day challenges, but also to personal fulfillment and professional success.