The importance of emotional intelligence for collaborators

When collaborating over a marketing campaign, it’s important to understand the team dynamic. Some colleagues take constructive feedback in stride, while others may fall to pieces if it’s not said in the “right” way. That’s where project managers have to become adept at emotional intelligence.
 

What is emotional intelligence?

According to Psychology Today, emotional intelligence is “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.” Emotionally intelligent coworkers are better able to solve problems in a team environment, and to help stabilize any coworkers who run a little off the rails.
 

Understanding emotional intelligence in the office

Keeping a marketing team cool, calm, and collected takes a person with some mad emotional intelligence (EQ) skill. After all, there’s plenty at stake when running a client-based operation. The good news is that while some leaders have a natural ability in EQ, others are able to learn the traits. Here are some takeaways for leaders looking to up their EQ game.

  • Speaking your team’s EQ language

In order to best assist your team, you have to understand where they’re coming from. Get to know them and learn what makes them tick. In doing so, you begin to understand what motivates each person on your team. For instance, Sally may appreciate direct feedback, whereas Jim may require a more uplifting approach. Emotionally intelligent managers can have a significant impact on turnover; employees who feel their managers care tend to stick around longer.

  • Adopt collaboration software to smooth the process
Things can be easily misconstrued on a project if you’re only communicating via email. On marketing projects, leaders often use collaboration tools to help facilitate communication with all parties involved. Look at it this way: if your team can see which part of the project your comment is referring to, they are much less likely to take it out of context. Collaboration tools help paint a more elaborate picture, decreasing chances of miscommunication.
  • Better communication= phenomenal projects
If there’s one thing that is for certain in the marketing realm, it’s that communication reigns supreme. High EQ leaders are self-aware and skilled at listening, making it easy for them to say what needs to be said with grace and tact. Even further, because communication is smooth, these leaders can enjoy marketing campaigns that come together with ease.

 

The bottom line about EQ

The workforce has changed and leaders have to change with it. Gone are the days in which employees are treated like carbon copies. Those who are in tune with their work environment understand that each person has their own communication preferences. By investing the time to hone your EQ skills, not only are you becoming a better leader for your organization, your projects will benefit greatly as your team begins to learn to collaborate with one another.

Post by Taryn Barnes

Taryn Barnes is a freelance writer and journalist. She writes about HR Tech and the evolution of the workplace and has written on workforce trends for Forbes and Workforce Magazine.