Have you been exposed to people in the workplace who have the gift of intelligence but lack common sense?
If so, you are likely observing someone who hasn’t fully developed the emotional skills needed for relating to others.
Common sense gives us the ability to make good decisions and adapt to changing situations under pressure. Emotional intelligence is described as advance common sense.
Studies have been conducted for years that indicate at least 27 – 45 percent of your success in your job and satisfaction in life relates to your ability to use emotional intelligence when relating to others.
In a job search, you often see the phrases “people skills” and “technical skills” in job postings, and there is a tendency to dismiss the people skills side and focus on the sell technical abilities.
People skills also may be called soft skills, and when you hear the word “soft” you might think that in a tight job market such as this one, soft skills could be viewed as passive or less competitive.
The fact is, soft skills actually drive employers’ hiring decisions. Employers are looking for candidates who get along with others.
What is emotional intelligence?
According to “The Other Kind of Smart,” by Harvey Deutschendorf , it means being real, genuine, open and honest regarding feelings.
When looking for a job, take the time to strengthen your emotional intelligence. Research indicates strong emotional intelligence distinguishes star performers from average ones.
How can strengthening your emotional intelligence help?
• It helps when handling conflict, because you are able to bring people together rather than letting conflict divide them.
• You are better able to build trust with others.
• You are more aware of your emotions and how you respond to stressful situations.
• It helps you to negotiate outcomes in a positive way.
• You are better able to make good decisions instead of reacting to problems.
• You are more adept at developing rapport while job searching.
It’s never too late to develop your emotional intelligence. A good place to start would be to read more about the subject , and start practicing awareness by changing the way you react to situations.
What have you found more important in your job search, people skills or technical skills?
