Spring Clean your Emotional Intelligence

Posted on Tuesday, 1 September 2009 | Permalink

The days are getting longer, the grass is growing (...and it would feel more like spring if it wasn't still snowing?!)

The sunshine and the snow remind us it's the time for optimism AND for reality.  This was evident when I read Robert Sutton's article "Good boss, bad times" in the Australian Financial Review's BOSS magazine (www.afrboss.com.au) .  He acknowledged that difficult times are ahead AND he identified the important role emotional intelligence can play in effective leadership during these times.

Great leaders are optimistic that they  CAN make a positive difference to their organisations and their people.  They also need to face the reality that challenging economic times still exist, and it will require more than economic acumen to succeed.  Often when leaders are "under stress" they revert to their "defaults" (or comfort zone) and are LESS likely to use a wide range of communication and relationship management avenues.  And this is a time when flexibility, relationship awareness and emotional intelligence are MOST needed.

Sutton quotes psychologist Susan Fiske; (In times of high pressure) "people (employees) pay attention to those who control their outcomes...(they try to) predict and possibly influence what is going to happen to them".  Sutton continues..."when feeling threatened...(employees) become distracted from their work (and) redirect their efforts to try and figure out what is going on and to cope with their fear and anxiety"(p.40).  Sutton identifies four key areas where great leaders can place their attention; providing predictability, increasing understanding, affording control and showing compassion.

Predictability - in these uncertain times people look for consistency in words, behaviours, emotions and interactions from their leaders.  It's also about communicating what will happen and when.  How predictable are you?  How predictable are your messages?

Increasing understanding - this is about communicating the why and how.  Keep the message simple.  Provide concrete examples.  Explain major changes and their expected consequences.  Then Repeat.  Then Repeat.  Then Repeat.

Affording control - draw attention to what CAN be controlled (influenced).  Build confidence and coach for success.  Celebrate accomplishments.   How often do your communications and interactions focus on what CAN be done?

Showing compassion - sincerely attempt to understand the other person's perspective.  Understand and acknowledge anxiety.  Communicate your genuine empathy.  Even the most difficult message can be communicated to preserve the other person's dignity.

Wishing you all the best to "Spring!' into action.