Emotions are the colours of life. But what do they have to do with business? The great philosopher Sartre believed emotions are strategies through which we give our lives and the world around us meaning, which in turn, determine how successful or miserable we are. Cooper and Sawaf (1997) support the idea that emotions and not reason determine whether our abilities will eventually flourish or atrophy and thus, emotional intelligence seems to be an essential personal asset for self-actualisation.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise and understand emotions and their impact on behaviour and attitudes. Those who hold a high degree of emotional intelligence are in tune with both their own emotions and the emotions of other people with whom they come in contact.
Emotional intelligence involves being sensitive to, and perceptive of, other people’s emotions, and having the ability to intuitively facilitate improved performance. The modern workplace requires open communication, team work, and a mutual respect among employees and their supervisors. Possessing emotional intelligence allows managers to better understand and motivate people they supervise.
An individual who is in tune with his or her own emotions is much more likely to be able to understand and sync with the emotions that impact the attitudes and behaviours of others. This is why emotional intelligence is so valuable, even in the work place.
In an economy characterised by continuous hurdles, the best way to keep a company motivated and stirring growth is to incorporate emotional intelligence into one’s personal and organisational management philosophy.
Managers and business owners cannot lose sight of the fact that their employees are, first and foremost, people with real lives and emotions, and that wanting or not wanting, these influence how they think, feel, and act, which inevitably will influence their company’s accomplishments.
Those managers who want to be effective leaders in the 21st century cannot fail to acquire a deeper understanding of the concept of emotional intelligence and apply it to their management strategies. Success in the workplace does not only require an elevated know-how of one’s business but also entails an effective awareness, control and management of one’s own emotions, and those of other people.
Participants at an evening seminar at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana, on Wednesday, will learn ways to improve one’s emotional intelligence. Participants will be led into the fascinating world of emotions and guided to acquire a better understanding of one’s emotions and learn strategies to manage and exploit them to the full. They will acquire means to recognise and tune in with other people’s emotions to establish healthy relationships which are the key aspect for better teamwork, collaboration and effective outcomes.
Personal growth and self-actualisation are often hindered by a lack of emotional literacy and flexibility, which paralyses one’s capabilities or even geniality. Unmanaged emotions end up taking control of our lives, determining its outcome.
A seminar on emotional intelligence is being organised by W&D Magro Ltd, the business advisory arm of W&D, a mid-tier firm of accountants and auditors, and members of JHI, a global affiliation of accountants and business advisors. Ms Portelli, a qualified psychologist, is also a trainer and senior collaborator at the Centro di Terapia Strategica of Arezzo. Information is available at www.wdmalta.com.
The author is a strategic coach and a trainer at W&D’s Business Advisory Unit.