How Emotional Intelligence Plays A Key Role In The Workplace

Emotional intelligence is key to both personal and professional success. However, mental health in the workplace can be a difficult and sensitive topic. It is important for both employees and employers to be aware of the issues surrounding mental health and how to best address them. It is the responsibility of both employer and employee to be emotionally intelligent. 

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of mental health in the workplace. More and more people are talking about the importance of mental health and the need for better workplace policies and practices. But there is still a long way to go. Too often, mental health is seen as a personal problem, something that the individual needs to deal with on their own. This is particularly true in the United States, where there is a strong culture of individualism and self-reliance. And the bottom line for most is if you are not productive, you will not succeed. No matter how high pressure the situation may be. So, there are so many people that are still afraid to admit to coworkers or even themselves that they may have a mental health issue because there is still so much fear around it. 

The top four reasons emotional intelligence is so crucial:

Gaining a better understanding of yourself. 

If you can understand your own emotions, you can better manage them and stay in control during challenging situations. When you know your triggers and how to deal with your emotions, you are less likely to let them get the best of you.

Gaining a better understanding of others.

If you can read other people’s emotions, you can better manage interactions, build relationships, and resolve conflicts. You will also be better equipped to understand and empathize with others, which can make them more likely to trust and confide in you.

Can help you better manage stress.

If you can manage your emotions, you will be less likely to feel overwhelmed by stress. When you have emotional intelligence, you know how to better deal with stressful situations. This can lead to improved work performance, better decision making, and reduced stress in your personal life.

Improving your overall well-being.

When you have emotional intelligence, you have the ability to regulate your emotions, set boundaries, and manage stress. This can lead to a more positive outlook on life, increased happiness, and improved physical health.

These four reminders should be staples of workplace codes of conduct! Mental health is a critical part of our overall health and well-being. The workplace has a responsibility to create a healthy and supportive environment for its employees and unfortunately most places of business (from both lowest to highest paying levels) do not have anything in place as a way of policy for their employees mental health needs. Being a responsible employer should include creating policies and practices that not only support mental health, but also provide resources and support for people who are struggling. Just the same as a person would expect their employer to provide a clean, sanitary physical workspace (no matter what you do for work), there should also be a clean, healthy place for your mind. Mental health in the workspace should not be seen as an individual responsibility. 

Questions On Responsibility 

So, who steps up when there are so many out there that do not understand or are able to fully control their own emotions? Or what happens when the workplace itself is the source of the stress? What happens when the demands of work are so high that they are contributing to someone's mental health problems?

The workplace can be a difficult place for people with mental health issues. The pressure to be productive and to “succeed” can be overwhelming, and the stress of the job can become too much for so many people. The fact that a person's mental state was for so long not recognised in most workplaces as an illness or health issue at all makes people who truly are equipped with the knowledge, to not only be able to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically, but also be fully aware of, in control and have the ability to express their own self in a healthy way are just too few and far between!

In the end, the responsibility is one every individual person and corporation to create a harmonious workplace where everyone feels safe to carryout their purpose. Bringing emotional intelligence to the forefront of acceptable workplace behavior should be essential, especially in today's world.