Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Better Business

September 18, 2024 Developing Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

If you have been following my blog or my business for any length of time, you know that I am a long-time advocate of heart-led leadership. That means being authentic AND having an authentic interest in each of your people. It also means making smart decisions by balancing your head and your heart. Being “heart-led” doesn’t mean you’re weak; it simply means you are empathetic, kind, and willing to listen to your people. This can be viewed as an offshoot of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence (sometimes referred to as EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and reason with emotions. It involves being self-aware, regulating your own emotions, and empathizing with others. Developing emotional intelligence in the workplace can lead to improved communication, better conflict resolution, and stronger relationships with colleagues. By cultivating emotional intelligence, you can become a more effective leader, foster a positive work environment, and contribute to the overall success of your organization.

Some might believe that emotional intelligence is innate—you’re either born with it or you’re not. While it might be true that some people are more naturally empathetic than others, that doesn’t mean everyone else cannot learn to be emotionally intelligent and develop the qualities associated with a high EQ.

Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. If you’re hoping to build this essential skill, I suggest starting with the following:

Build Self-Awareness

Emotional intelligence starts with developing a deeper understanding of yourself. What are your tendencies, habits, and perspectives? How do you tend to react stressful situations? What is your communication style, and how do you relate to others?

To help answer these (and other) crucial questions, I suggest taking an assessment test that is rooted in science. As a Licensed Practitioner of Insights Discovery®, I naturally advocate for this system, but many other similar programs exist (Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Enneagrams, etc.). Briefly, Insights Discovery® is a self-awareness tool that helps you understand your natural preferences, strengths, and potential blind spots, visualizing this data with four distinct colors (learn more on my website). By gaining this self-knowledge, you can better manage your emotions, communicate more effectively, and build stronger relationships with your colleagues.

Additionally, consider keeping a journal to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors throughout the workday. This can provide valuable insights into your emotional patterns and help you identify areas for growth.

Practice Active Listening

An important step in developing your EQ is practicing active listening. When you actively listen, you not only hear the words being said, but you also aim to understand the speaker’s perspective and emotions. This involves maintaining eye contact, asking clarifying questions, and paraphrasing what you’ve heard to ensure understanding. This demonstrates empathy and builds trust with your colleagues, which can lead to more productive conversations and stronger relationships.

Check In with Your Emotions

Emotional intelligence also requires the ability to check in with and manage your own emotions. When you experience strong feelings, whether positive or negative, take a moment to pause and reflect before responding. This can prevent you from saying or doing something you might regret. Practice techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or journaling to help you regulate your emotions and respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively.

Aim For Understanding

Finally, strive to approach interactions with an attitude of understanding rather than judgment. When you encounter a colleague who is behaving in a way that frustrates or upsets you, try to consider their perspective and what might be driving their actions. This empathetic mindset can help you respond with compassion rather than criticism, fostering an environment of mutual respect and trust.

By developing these key emotional intelligence skills, you can become a more effective communicator, problem-solver, and leader within your organization. Those with a high EQ tend to have a better ability to navigate workplace relationships and interactions effectively. This, in turn, can lead to improved collaboration, problem-solving, and overall job satisfaction. Investing in the development of emotional intelligence can be a valuable asset for yourself, your people, and the entire organization.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: , , , , ,

June 19, 2024 5 Ways to Banish Laziness and Energize Your Team

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Let me establish right away that I am fully supportive of a healthy balance between life and work. If you wear yourself too thin, you’ll eventually become exhausted, resentful, and unable to operate at full capacity. This doesn’t serve you or your workplace. However, there is a big difference between striving for balance and refusing to work or rise to the challenge.

Encouraging your team to embrace productivity and creativity doesn’t mean you expect them to work nonstop. Instead, it’s about fostering a culture where everyone feels motivated to contribute their best. As a leader, you can help to motivate and empower your team, while also banishing laziness and procrastination.

Here are 5 strategies to energize your team:

Set Clear Expectations

If a team does not know where they are heading or unsure of their responsibilities, they might start to feel directionless and frustrated. This can lead to uncertainty and a decrease in productivity. By setting clear expectations for your team, you provide them with a roadmap for success. Make sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, as well as the team’s goals and objectives. Clear communication and transparency are key to keeping everyone on track and motivated. When team members know what is expected of them, they are more likely to stay focused and engaged in their work.

Provide Support

As a leader, it is crucial to offer your team members the support, encouragement, and resources they need. This might mean guiding them through challenges, offering training opportunities, or simply being there to listen when they need advice. It could also mean connecting them with mentoring opportunities. A supported team is often a productive team.

Create a Culture of Accountability

If too many deadlines slide, or too many projects are allowed to be subpar, this can send a signal that mediocrity is acceptable. On the other hand, when team members are held accountable for their work and deadlines, it fosters a culture of responsibility and excellence. Encouraging a sense of ownership for individual and team outcomes can drive motivation and productivity. By setting clear standards and expectations, and regularly reviewing progress, you empower your team to take ownership of their work and strive for continuous improvement.

Check In

Regularly checking in with your team members will ensure they have what they need to excel in their roles and feel supported in their work environment. It also allows you a chance to find out what’s working, what’s not, and what they might need to overcome any obstacles. By checking in regularly, you demonstrate your commitment to their success and well-being. This practice also fosters open communication and trust within the team. Furthermore, it allows for adjustments to be made promptly if necessary, ensuring that the team stays on track towards achieving its goals.

Genuinely Care

Seeing the human side of people is an essential way to foster a positive work environment. Show genuine care for your team members by acknowledging their efforts, celebrating their successes, and supporting them during challenging times. Building strong relationships based on care and empathy can significantly boost morale and motivation within the team. Be mindful of their well-being and always be ready to offer a listening ear or lend a helping hand. Your team will appreciate your genuine concern and reciprocate it with increased dedication and loyalty.

As a leader, it’s essential to set clear expectations, provide support, and recognize efforts. By banishing laziness and energizing your team, you create a positive environment that fuels growth and success. And remember to lead by example by demonstrating a strong work ethic to inspire your team to perform at their best.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: , , , , ,

April 10, 2024 Developing Your Patience for Better Business

We are a society of instant gratification and quick rewards. We order a package from Amazon, it arrives within a day or two. We want to watch a show, we switch to our streaming platform of choice and tune in. We want a meal, we order online and receive it at our doorstep. With so many ways to instantly satisfy our needs and wants, many of us have forgotten how to practice patience.

Patience is a crucial attribute in both our personal and business lives. It can help us weather storms, create robust strategies, and maintain a sense of calm. When we’re patient, we also tend to be gentler and more civil to those around us, from the overworked barista to the co-worker who is juggling multiple responsibilities.

In my experience, patience is absolutely an asset when it comes to business. A patient leader…

…takes the time to get to know their team members.

…invests in skill-building training.

…collects data and gives projects a chance before changing course.

…strategizes and considers options before jumping in.

…recognizes that development and progress may take time (and celebrates small victories along the way).

Believe it or not, patience is a skill you can develop. Some people may be innately less patient than others—looking at you “red energy” and “yellow energy” folks (see my post on Insights® Discovery if you don’t get that reference)! However, all people can improve their patience. I suggest building patience with the following four steps:

Develop Awareness

The first step to becoming more patient is to recognize when you’re being inpatient or impulsive. Start noticing when you’re being short with others, or you’re tempted to make a decision or take an action before you have all the information. Once you start becoming aware of your own impatience, you can begin to correct this tendency.

Start Practicing

Start practicing patience in small, daily interactions. Pause before reacting to minor inconveniences, give people more time to express themselves fully, and allow projects to unfold at their natural pace. Over time, these small adjustments will become habits, and you’ll find yourself naturally more patient in various situations.

Challenge Yourself to Go One Step Further

After practicing daily patience, it’s a good idea to challenge yourself to apply it to more significant situations. When faced with a tough decision or a challenging project, consciously choose to approach it with patience. Allow the process to unfold without rushing to conclusions or taking shortcuts. When you’re tempted to give into an impulse say to yourself, “I can go just one step further.” That might mean waiting another day, asking one more person for advice, or doing just one more hour of research.

Recognize This Takes Time

As you’re developing your patience, you’ll have to (ironically) be patient with your progress! Developing a new skill takes time and consistent effort. Celebrate the small victories along the way, acknowledging that progress won’t happen overnight. But with concerted effort, you will eventually build this skill.

Patience is a virtue that can enhance your leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and overall well-being. Remember, by developing your patience, you’re not just benefiting yourself but also fostering a more positive and productive environment for those around you. Embrace the journey of building patience and enjoy the transformative impact it can have on your personal and professional life.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: , , , , ,