Emotional Intelligence Behaviors At Work
8 Ways to Display Emotional Intelligence & Why they matter Offer Help, Not Blame
The behavior: Focus on solutions when problems come up.
Why it matters: It keeps the team moving forward positively.
How to do it: Ask “How can I help fix this?” instead of “Whose fault is this?” Listen to Understand Not to Respond
The behavior: Let others finish their thoughts before speaking. Why it matters: It shows respect and helps you understand fully.
How to do it: Focus on what’s being said, not on what you’ll say next.
Read the Room
The behavior: Notice and respond to others’ emotions.
Why it matters: It helps you adjust your approach for better outcomes.
How to do it: Watch body language and tone of voice, not just words.
Admit When You Don’t Know
The behavior: Be honest about gaps in your knowledge. Why it matters: It builds trust and opens the door for learning.
How to do it: Simply say, “I don’t know, but I’d like to find out.”
Stay Calm Under Pressure
The behavior: Keep your cool when tensions rise. Why it matters: It helps maintain a productive atmosphere.
How to do it: Take deep breaths and speak slowly and calmly.
Ask Questions to Understand
The behavior: Use questions to dig deeper into others’ ideas. Why it matters: It shows you value their input and want to learn more.
How to do it: Start with “Can you tell me more about…” or “What do you mean by…”
Show Appreciation for Ideas
The behavior: Thank others for their contributions.
Why it matters: It encourages more sharing and builds goodwill.
How to do it: Say “Thank you for sharing that perspective” or “I appreciate your input.”
End on a Positive Note
The behavior: Summarize progress and next steps at the end. Why it matters: It leaves everyone feeling productive and clear on what’s next.
How to do it: Say “Here’s what we’ve achieved today, and here’s what we’ll do next.”
