Emotional intelligence, a key element of success in management

The annual event held by Valeur Plus, which brought together more than 40 managers, human resources professionals and directors on 7 September 2023, reflects the ongoing evolution in the world of work. Nowadays, technical skills are no longer enough to succeed in the professional world. Soft skills, and emotional intelligence in particular, have become essential competencies for management and leadership professionals.

The importance of these skills was highlighted during the conference-workshop that marked the start of the event. Participants discovered how emotional intelligence can play an essential role in developing positive professional relationships, managing teams effectively and succeeding in increasingly complex working environments. The interactive case study illustrated how applying these principles can solve real-world problems and improve organisational performance.

Now, let us take a closer look at emotional intelligence and its importance in management.

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence, popularised by various psychologists including Daniel Goleman and Paul Ekman, is the ability to perceive, understand, manage and use our own emotions, as well as those of others, in an effective way. It plays an essential role in how we interact with our environment, both personally and professionally. In other words, emotional intelligence consists of being aware of our emotions, managing them appropriately and using this emotional awareness to make sound decisions.

Why is emotional intelligence important in management?

Emotional intelligence is of crucial importance in management. Managers who possess emotional intelligence skills are better equipped to understand and respond to the emotional needs of their employees. This fosters a positive and productive working environment. Moreover, these managers are better able to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts and make informed decisions.

Teams led by managers with well-developed emotional intelligence are often more motivated, more engaged and higher-performing. Emotional intelligence also helps managers to manage stress, to remain calm in difficult situations and to inspire confidence in their team.

All of this contributes to improving the organisation's overall performance, ​the well-being of its employees and the success of the employer brand!

What are the 5 components of emotional intelligence according to Daniel Goleman?

Daniel Goleman identified five essential components of emotional intelligence, which are interconnected and play a fundamental role in our daily lives:

1. Self-awareness: This component concerns the ability to recognise and understand one's own emotions. It allows us to be aware of our emotional reactions to different situations. Self-awareness is the starting point for any emotional intelligence skill, as it allows us to understand how our emotions influence our thoughts and behaviours.

2. Self-control: Once we are aware of our emotions, self-control consists of managing our emotional reactions appropriately. This involves controlling impulses, showing patience and making considered decisions rather than reacting impulsively. Strong self-control is essential for maintaining harmonious professional and personal relationships.

3. Motivation: Emotional motivation encompasses our ability to set ambitious goals, to persevere despite obstacles and to maintain a high level of commitment to our tasks and projects. Motivation drives us to excel in our activities and to constantly seek improvement.

4. Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand the emotions and needs of others. It allows us to be attentive to the feelings and perspectives of the people we interact with. This skill strengthens our interpersonal relationships by fostering communication, mutual understanding and conflict resolution.

5. Social skills: Social skills consist of managing relationships with others. This encompasses effective communication, the ability to influence others positively, conflict resolution and the building of strong professional networks. People with well-developed social skills are generally effective leaders and valuable members of a team.

How can emotional intelligence be used wisely in your management?

Emotional intelligence is a valuable asset in management, and its effective use can help to create positive working environments, strengthen interpersonal relationships and boost team performance. Taking into account the 5 components mentioned above, we offer you a few concrete actions for using emotional intelligence wisely as a manager:

First of all, we are convinced that it is essential to cultivate open and honest communication with your team. Create a space where the members of your team feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns and ideas. Listen actively and show interest in what they have to say.

Next, we encourage you to be an exemplary leader when it comes to managing emotions. Demonstrate your own emotional intelligence by managing your reactions constructively, particularly in stressful and difficult situations.

Encouragement is another way of using emotional intelligence wisely. The key is to give positive and constructive feedback to your employees frequently. Celebrate their successes and show that you appreciate their work. This strengthens their motivation and engagement.

Finally, try to deal with conflicts in a respectful and collaborative way. Rather than avoiding them, use them as opportunities to improve mutual understanding and strengthen relationships. By practising these principles of emotional intelligence, you will create a more harmonious and productive working environment.

In conclusion, it is important to recognise that the five components of emotional intelligence are not only skills in themselves, but also powerful levers that demonstrate our use of this intelligence. At Valeur Plus, we are committed to supporting you in developing these essential skills through our dedicated tools, training courses and coaching. Developing your emotional intelligence may be the key to your personal and professional success.

Written by Cassandra Kunkel, Marketing and Training Projects Manager