How to use emotional intelligence in communication

- Emotional intelligence enables you to better navigate interpersonal interactions and involves being aware of your own emotion, understanding the emotions of others, and managing both in a way that fosters effective and productive communication. Three ways to utilize emotional intelligence when communicating are, number one, practice self-awareness. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day, especially in moments in response to different situations at work. For example, are there situations that trigger certain emotions for you? Do you get frustrated during tight deadlines or anxious during presentations? Being aware and making adjustments as needed will help you manage your emotions. Number two, streamline your focus. Staying focused on the issue at hand, rather than assigning a heap of emotions to it, positions you to make decisions based on the facts. This doesn't mean that you don't take other people's feelings into consideration still when making decisions on a way forward. What are the facts? Number three, reflect. When you're reflecting on your response to a particular communication, ask yourself, is your response based on a truth or a belief? We all have different beliefs. Some we share with others, some we don't. Our beliefs shape who we are as human beings. However, if you're responding based on a belief, be honest about that. For example, is it true that your coworker doesn't like you? Or is that a belief based on some experience? The answer will help you determine a way forward. Give this a try and let me know how it goes.