The smartest companies are making sure their houses are in order.

Don’t be left behind or your people (and bottom line) will suffer.

Here we are with a post pandemic world of work that is changing at an unprecedented rate. We also have what I see as an opportunity. An opportunity to be better; better leaders, better mentors, better humans. Turnover rates are at an all-time high for most industries and the people have spoken. Workers want more – more empathy, more guidance, more development, more opportunities, all balanced with nurtured mental health.

I think we all know by now that this is not a fleeting trend. This is the way the world is now and it’s time to accept that and take action. The smartest companies and leaders are actively making changes to their rules, values and mindsets because they know the negative impact it will have on their most important resource (hint, hint it’s your people) if they don’t. So, what are you and your teams doing to evolve and provide the necessary care to your employees?

With the right skills and strategies in place, managers can help build trust and respect within their teams while creating an environment where everyone feels supported. The key is to be proactive – and understanding how to nurture your own emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important than ever. Having a high EQ is essential for any manager or leader who wants to create a successful and engaged workplace. By investing in these skills, managers can help build strong teams and foster a positive work environment.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a critical leadership skill that has become increasingly important in today’s rapidly changing and dynamic business landscape. EQ refers to a person’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. A leader with high EQ is able to build stronger relationships with their employees, communicate effectively and make informed decisions that drive success for both the company and employee.

Psychologist Daniel Goleman highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, telling the Harvard Business Review, “The most effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence. It’s not that IQ and technical skills are irrelevant. They do matter, but...they are the entry-level requirements for executive positions.”

How can managers increase their EQ? Here are some tips:

1. Understand your emotions. Take time to reflect on what triggers certain emotions in yourself and others. Identify your strengths and weaknesses so you know how to manage them better in different situations. This can be done through regular journaling, meditation, or seeking feedback from others. When you have a better understanding of your own emotions, you'll be better equipped to manage them and respond to the emotions of others in a positive and productive way.

2. Practice empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Leaders with high EQ are able to put themselves in their employees' shoes, and respond to their emotional needs in a way that supports and motivates them. To develop this skill, leaders can practice perspective-taking, seek out diverse perspectives, and engage in regular self-reflection. 

3. Engage in self-care. Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health is an important part of being a successful manager. Make sure you take some time each day to relax and recharge.

4. Seek feedback from others. Ask trusted colleagues or direct reports for honest feedback on how you interact with them and handle work-related situations. Good leaders are great listeners. Active listening involves paying attention to what others are saying, both verbally and non-verbally, and responding in a way that demonstrates empathy and understanding. Leaders who practice active listening can build stronger relationships with their employees and better understand the emotional needs of their team.

5. Identify stress triggers. Learn to recognize the early signs of stress so that you can take proactive steps to reduce it in yourself and others before it has a negative impact on performance or morale.

The bottom line is this: Having great emotional intelligence makes you a better leader. Emotional intelligence is a critical leadership skill that can be developed and strengthened with practice. Not only will your team respect you more, but they’ll also be more likely to want to stay with the company over the long-term. So take some time each day to focus on increasing your EQ – it’s an investment that will pay off in spades!