Today’s complex modern employment landscape values degrees and skills. But one factor that is being highly valued by every employer is emotional intelligence.
Even as artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies permeate every business operation, employers are increasingly looking for individuals, especially freshers, who are equipped with emotional intelligence. So it becomes imperative for freshers to understand the importance of this skill and learn how to develop it if they want to build a foundation for long-term career success.
Emotional intelligence: What and why
Before we dive into the details of why emotional intelligence is in high demand by employers, let’s understand how this is different from emotional quotient (EQ), which is a commonly used term.
Though often used interchangeably, experts explain that EQ is a numerical representation of the level of EI an individual possesses. This means EQ is basically a score determined through various tests conducted to assess numerous aspects of the EI of an individual. In other words, EI is a skill or an ability to manage emotions, whereas EQ is its quantifiable measurement.
Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognise, understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as understand and influence the emotions of others. These skills encompass a range of abilities such as self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness and relationship management, says Gunjandeep Kaur, Director-HR Business Partner at Model N, a cloud-based platform offering revenue management solutions for high-tech and life sciences industries.
Employers are increasingly inclined towards hiring freshers with strong EI as such individuals can build rapport, effectively understand customer needs, and provide personalised and empathetic services, she explains. EI is particularly valuable in roles where interactions with customers are frequent, such as sales or customer service.
Monika Pathak, Head-HR, Go Digit Life Insurance, describes EI as the ability to read emotions — yours and those of your peers. At the workplace, she explains, where one experiences a diverse range of emotions, this skill helps in reassessing their words, managing tone or simply listening more patiently.
In her opinion, employers value EI in addition to intelligence quotient (IQ) as it is a great indicator of talent growth and stability. Individuals who cannot navigate the workplace with empathy and social skills might find it difficult to collaborate and learn. This is probably the reason why employers today are willing to let go of high performers if they do not have the ability to function with others. Professionals who are not self-aware and lack social skills will not be able to show growth in their roles, she adds.
How EI can help freshers seek better opportunities
With the employment landscape changing at an exponential rate today, possessing emotional intelligence can help freshers stand out in the crowd and present themselves as a valuable asset to every organisation.
Elaborating on how this skill ensures career growth, Kaur says individuals with strong EI are better equipped to adapt to the changes induced by technological advancements, economic fluctuations and global events by remaining flexible, resilient, and open to new opportunities.
This skill allows individuals to bounce back from disappointments, setbacks and failures more effectively. It also makes it easier for them to navigate conflicts that are inevitable in workplaces, she points out.
EI skills such as empathy, active listening and relationship management are invaluable in establishing genuine connections, collaborating and leveraging networks for growth opportunities. Plus, even at the early stages of their careers, individuals with high EI can demonstrate leadership potential and prepare or be selected for future leadership roles, she adds.
Pathak says EI gives an edge to a graduate in this competitive job market where numerous colleges are serving up similar education standards. Talking about the ways to grab growth opportunities, she emphasises the need to first prepare for behavioural interview questions.
Recollecting her experience, Pathak says employers use questions like “what was the most challenging thing that you overcame and how” to assess whether the fresher has the ability to move through strenuous situations using emotional intelligence.
So, to land the job of your dreams, it’s imperative to not only possess EI but also convey your ability to use that strategically for your own as well as the growth of the organisation.
Strategies to develop and enhance EI in the modern workplace
Freshers planning to make a swift entry into the employment sector should employ certain strategies to cultivate emotional intelligence skills, say experts.
To begin with, it’s of utmost importance to determine what is EI and which aspect of EI you lack. For instance, if empathy as a concept is not clear, doing a bit of research through books and online resources and pursuing courses can be of tremendous help.
Next, they suggest practising self-awareness activities by keeping a journal and maintaining your thoughts, feelings and experiences. This can help a person comprehend their own personality and find out ways to respond better in different situations or identify triggers. At the same time, seeking feedback from peers, mentors and supervisors can assist in acknowledging and addressing the areas of improvement.
Individuals should also focus on refining their listening skills, suggest the experts. Paying constant attention to verbal and nonverbal cues, assessing the words of others and asking clarifying questions will ensure better management of emotions, leaving no room for misunderstandings.
Instances of battling workplace challenges through EI
The HR experts say there are real-life examples that can offer a deeper understanding of how EI helps in tackling various stressful workplace situations. Kaur says she closely observed a fresh graduate who was assigned a deliverable in a high-stakes project with tight deadlines and a demanding customer. As a newcomer, the graduate felt overwhelmed and was unsure of her abilities. However, she didn’t succumb to the pressure and leveraged her EI to make the best of the situation. “Despite the challenges, her emotional intelligence enabled her to navigate the project successfully. Her ability to manage her emotions, empathise with others, and build positive relationships contributed to the project’s success,” says Kaur of Model N.
Pathak recollects an instance where a trainee, who is now heading a vertical in the company, displayed a keen sense of understanding what the stakeholders required and skillfully catered to those needs. As a result, the trainee received significant recognition and appreciation in the first year of work, which also boosted her confidence and the confidence of the management in her. Her high emotional intelligence also helped her in transitioning into a great team leader.
In the past 7 years, Go Digit Life Insurance has hired more than 1,500 trainees, and all the success stories come from those who have been hardworking, proactive and, at the same time, have displayed a good measure of self-awareness, social skills and empathy, Pathak adds.
