As the dust settles from another highly contentious election cycle, I realize how hopeful I was that the vitriol would stop once the election ended. In reality, it’s only getting worse. On social media, on college campuses, and in workplaces, the offensive and dehumanizing comments have intensified since last week.
While divisiveness may be the reality in media and politics, there is one place where we should demand a different standard—our workplaces. Civility is needed now more than ever, and organizations are responsible for upholding a higher standard of behavior than in politics.
Whether we’re filled with apathy, joy, rage, or many emotions, now is the time to pay attention to our interactions and how we can make our relationships and workday easier or harder for ourselves and others. Here are a few simple yet powerful emotional intelligence tools to make the week easier for yourself and those around you.
While divisiveness may be the reality in media and politics, there is one place where we should demand a different standard—our workplaces. Civility is needed now more than ever, and organizations are responsible for upholding a higher standard of behavior than in politics.
Whether we’re filled with apathy, joy, rage, or many emotions, now is the time to pay attention to our interactions and how we can make our relationships and workday easier or harder for ourselves and others. Here are a few simple yet powerful emotional intelligence tools to make the week easier for yourself and those around you.
Catch your thoughts and emotions. Before you speak or write a response, take a moment to pay attention to how you’re feeling at the moment. What emotion is dominant? What thoughts are you thinking?Check your reactions. Emotions are valid, but how we express them is critical to making a tense situation worse or easier. Do something (e.g., move your body, listen to music, take a 10-minute break) to manage your initial reaction so you can respond thoughtfully.Change your reactions. Responding rather than reacting means giving yourself time to consider the impact of your response. Take a few minutes to ask, “Is my desired response accurate, necessary, and kind to share?” Pausing to take more time to respond will go a long way in sustaining our professional and personal relationships – especially now.
Check out our Managing Well podcast episode, Emotional Intelligence 101 for Leadership, on Apple and Spotify to learn more ways to practice EQ at work.
