Why a happy workplace is a productive workplace & the importance of emotional intelligence

Why is emotional intelligence important in the workplace? Well, employees who are happy at work will likely feel like their employer values them, understand their purpose, and know that they are making a difference.

Does this famous saying have truth to it? According to a study by the University of Oxford, yes! Their research found that workers are 13% more productive when happy. So, do you have a cohort of emotionally intelligent employees?

We have found that many employers seek to train their employees in emotional intelligence to improve happiness at work. At iHASCO, we understand how important this is, which is why we offer an online Emotional Intelligence Training course.

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognise, understand and appropriately respond to the emotions in ourselves and others. In fact, emotional intelligence is responsible for 58% of professional success, regardless of job category!

How is emotional intelligence used in the workplace?

Emotional intelligence is a valuable skill that enables individuals to improve communication, management, problem-solving, and relationships in the workplace. 

By having greater emotional intelligence, employees can:

• Come to better decisions
• Solve problems more effectively
• Stay calm under pressure with emotional self-regulation.
• Resolve conflicts
• Have greater empathy
• Listen, reflect, and respond to constructive criticism better
• Have a better job satisfaction
• Improve social skills and job performance

So, why is emotional intelligence important in the workplace? As well as the benefits above, perhaps the most significant positive of having strong emotional intelligence is that it can greatly increase employees' happiness. From effective training, your employees can grasp the skills needed to overcome certain situations and help them become less stressed, resulting in a happier and more productive day, and that is why emotional intelligence is used in the workplace.

How to measure emotional intelligence in the workplace

The concept of emotional intelligence may sound simple, but not everyone has naturally high emotional intelligence. However, training and regular sessions can develop and strengthen your employees' knowledge and understanding of this skill.

However, there is no perfectly accurate measure of a person's emotional intelligence. Einstein famously said, "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid".

A person with strong emotional intelligence is easily identifiable by the above characteristics, such as active listening, social awareness and intrinsic motivation. You will be able to see your employees develop and improve in areas such as conflict resolution, decision making, responding to constructive criticism and problem-solving. 

Daniel Goleman's Elements Of Emotional Intelligence

The American psychologist and author of “Emotional Intelligence”, Daniel Goleman, has stated there are five elements when it comes to being emotionally intelligent. He says that when these five elements are managed well, an employee, manager or leader can improve emotional intelligence in the workplace.

• Self Awareness 
• Self-Regulation 
• Motivation 
• Empathy 
• Social Skills

Online Emotional Intelligence Training

Here at iHASCO, we offer an online Emotional Intelligence Training course that is designed to help employees understand the basics of what it means to be emotionally intelligent. The course also covers the importance of emotional intelligence and how it plays a vital part in the workplace.

By the end of this course, users will:

• Know what emotional intelligence (EI) is
• Understand the importance of EI in both personal and professional situations
• Know how to strengthen their emotional intelligence

The CPD Accredited course is divided into two easily-digestible sections, offering a printable certificate upon completion of the end-of-training test. If you’re looking to build emotional intelligence within your company culture, then this course is the best starting point.

Claim your free, no-obligation trial to the course today! Alternatively, you can request a bespoke quote and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your training needs.