Companies that managed to survive the pandemic aren’t giving up on new challenges and surprises. They are exploring other options to keep their doors open, in addition to enabling remote workers and maintaining operations. Businesses can use project management to help them develop new products, improve processes, or reach new customers. Project management is a well-known organizational skill. Most companies practice it in some form. How can a company or team improve their project management skills to gain an advantage in these difficult times?
Table of Contents
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence levels
Why is emotional intelligence so important?
Application areas
Emotional intelligence and project leadership: Benefits
Improving emotional intelligence
What is emotional intelligence?
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Experts in the industry believe that existing technology can be duplicated and improved by the competition within two to three month. Some business leaders believe that technology cannot distinguish one company from its competitors. They point to emotional intelligence and its proper use as the key to improving project performance.
According to psychologists Peter Salovey, John Mayer, emotional intelligence (EI), is “the ability monitor one’s emotions and distinguish among them, and use this information to guide your thinking and actions.” Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ) is a measure of EI.
Also read: How to Increase Your Team’s Technology Knowledge
Emotional intelligence levels
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There are many levels of emotional intelligence. This includes:
Perceiving emotions: The ability of accurately recognizing verbal and nonverbal signals.
Reasoning with emotions: The ability use emotions to stimulate thinking, prioritize and respond to what grabs our attention.
Understanding emotions: The ability of correctly interpreting our emotions
Emotion management: The ability to manage and respond appropriately to the emotions of others as well as one’s own.
Why is emotional intelligence so important?
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Emotional intelligence advocates state that IQ can help a person to get into college, but EQ helps them manage stress and emotions whenever they take an exam. EI can help you control your emotions and stress to prevent loneliness or isolation. Mental health issues are less likely to affect a mentally healthy person. EI can help professionals navigate the social complexities in the workplace. They are able to communicate better and build stronger personal and professional relationships. They can communicate more effectively and have greater social intelligence.
Teams with high emotional intelligence can work well together.
To resolve conflicts, have uncomfortable conversations and not feel hurt.
Manage your emotions when you feel overwhelmed or stressed.
Motivate and coach others
Establish a culture of collaboration
Create a safe environment for them to maximize their potential.
Application areas
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Emotional intelligence can be practiced in many areas, including project management and the workplace. EI is when employees accept criticism and responsibility calmly and objectively, and when they move on after making mistakes or say no when necessary. Emotional intelligence can be applied to specific PM processes by project professionals:
Despite pressure from stakeholders, not signing up to a poorly defined project scope
Be aware of the time pressures and motivate your team by devising better ways to deliver.
If you are unhappy with an estimate, you can talk to the estimator privately and request adjustments.