Building an Emotionally Intelligent Team

In a team, great relationships can be utilised and turned into practical actions that can build and sustain your organisation. However, not everyone in your team may be capable of building and maintaining these connections. Social and Emotional Intelligence skills play a critical role in being able to successfully connect and work closely with other people.

For some, their current Emotional Intelligence quotient (EQ) may not be enough for them to be a truly effective team player. They might be too occupied with their own emotions and struggling with how to handle them. That in turn can have a negative effect on the rest of the team. That is why it is essential that you create a culture that puts Emotional Intelligence at the forefront in your organisation.

Remember, the foundation of every great team is its individual members. As the team leader, it’s your responsibility to make sure that these foundations are sturdy and durable. 

Developing Emotional Intelligence in Teams

Developing Emotional Intelligence in an individual is only the first step. If you want to build a culture of Emotional Intelligence in your team, then you must start by following these developmental tips.

Encourage Comradery

Any member of your team could be experiencing a lot of internal pressure when facing others. They may see them more as co-workers than as someone that they can interact with socially. What you can do as the leader is encourage comradery in your team so that they can relieve themselves of whatever internal pressures they have.

However, some people are slower in opening up to others and that’s okay. If you create an open and friendly environment for them, they will at the very least be comfortable, which can do wonders for them and their productivity.

Help Each Other Out

Great teamwork is what’s going to create amazing results, and there are a many ways your team can help each other out. Asking for others’ assistance or counsel when needed is just one example. Asking for feedback to get a new perspective on the task at hand can also be very helpful in producing an output that the whole team can be proud of.

As a member of a team, you have become a part of something bigger than yourself. So, beware of becoming too focused on your own problems and lend a hand to others when you can. That way, you can stop yourself from being devoured by the negative emotions you may be feeling because of it, while also helping others with the same problem.

Create Opportunities for Social Interaction

The workplace can get too stressful. As the leader, you have the power to create opportunities for social interaction to keep everyone in the team feeling like they are supported and belong. You can do so through formal gatherings such as conferences or trade shows, and in team meetings where everyone is given an opportunity to say their piece. Or you can do so through more informal gatherings such as holiday parties, team-building exercises, etc.

The important thing is that you keep the team engaged and you keep that level of comradery steady. We all need time to be human, and humans are social creatures. By recognising that, you can create a stronger and more unified team.

Conclusion

The feeling of isolation can severely affect your Emotional Intelligence. But in a team we are never alone. Building a great team goes hand in hand with building an emotionally intelligent team. Being able to enhance your capacity to build productive and nurturing relationships will help you to further develop yourself and achieve your goals together.

Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company and one of the great innovators of the 20th century, put it best when he said:

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

So, what you can do to develop the Emotional Intelligence in your team? How are you going to set an example for your team as their leader?

We Are Here to Help

At People Builders, we have a team of expert trainers and coaches who can help you in building trust with your team. Contact us today for a quick chat to see how we can partner with you to train and coach you and your team.

If you are interested in becoming certified to be a trainer and coach in Social and Emotional Intelligence, Applied Neuroscience, or Extended DISC, go to our People Builders Institute website.