The workplace is changing profoundly. Artificial intelligence and automation are expanding to manage more mental and physical tasks historically managed by people. At the same time, Emotional Intelligence (EI) skills in people are becoming the key differentiator towards achieving excellence in employee engagement, breakthrough innovation and customers’ experiences. The research is clear that Emotional Intelligence is the single most important driver of an engaged, results-driven, highly adaptive workforce.
Engagement will become increasingly important
The demand for engagement continues to increase. The reason your employees get up in the morning and choose to be engaged has nothing to do with their manager’s level of IQ or technical abilities. It has everything to do with that manager’s level of EI. In fact, when we ask people what the defining characteristics of exceptional and unexceptional leaders are, almost 90% of responses are linked to Emotional Intelligence behaviors. Managers that display high EI enable employees to display resilience and find meaning and connection in their work. Engaged employees are more willing to take on new challenges and pursue new opportunities.
Innovation for all
Innovation doesn’t belong only in technology companies – it’s needed everywhere. Innovation in a company starts the day people feel safe. Safe to take risks and offer ideas that have the potential to be terrible but could be building towards something brilliant. The psychological safety required to take risks is built through trust, which only exists when emotionally intelligent behaviors are present at every level of the organization. EI is the force that drives courage, creativity and breakthrough thinking needed for successful innovation and problem solving.
A culture of connection
EI drives a culture of greater human connection. Forward-thinking organizations nurture these EI skills to deepen relationships with their employees and their customers. The competitive advantage of the future will belong to organizations that can forge unbreakable bonds with their people and their clients.
Learn more
Download the latest research to find out more about how the science and skills of Emotional Intelligence will be essential in the future workplace and will establish your competitive advantage. This research eBook will explore the four steps you need to leverage for strategic advantage:
- Why it needs to start at the top,
- How to assess for gaps,
- Why it needs to be applied across the organization,
- And how to learn, practice and master EI skills and strategies.
