Having a well-developed level of emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient or E.Q.) allows leaders to be able to inspire and motivate others to accomplish a shared objective and vision.
As introverts, this can be a little harder to achieve as there’s a tendency to prefer spending time alone than with others. However, to help introverts overcome this, here are a few ways to strengthen your emotional intelligence:
- Increase your self-awareness. Self-development is the foundation of excellence. Start by understanding your own motivations and behaviours.
- Develop your vision by learning about your strengths, the things you’re naturally good at and listen to your inner values. Trust yourself.
- Embrace passion and lean in to your internal compass rather than external forces and situations.
- Know how to recharge your batteries, so you can perform at your best. This is so important for introverts especially if for example you’ve had high intensity interactions which expend energy. You can stay energised by taking the time to learn what activities re-energise you and which ones drain you.
- Respect yourself. Know the limitations of your body, mind, and spirit and strive for balance between your responsibilities in all areas of your work and life.
- Become aware of your performance risks, the things you’re not so good at. Don’t focus on these as being bad but acknowledge their presence. Seek ways to improve where appropriate, be open to change and willing to let go of things that no longer serve you.
- Strengthen your discipline and self-management. Learning to be responsible for your behaviour, attitudes, and actions can raise your performance level as well as help you to build trust and authority with others.
- Seek the help and support of others. Ask how you can help them, or what you need to do differently to communicate and work with them more effectively.
- Hold yourself accountable for your actions and performance.
- Don’t be afraid to delegate responsibilities and tasks. Be confident enough in your own strengths and capabilities to surround yourself with talented, qualified people.
- Develop your social awareness. Be aware of your own attitudes and the power you have to motivate others.
- Show genuine concern for others and learn how to actively listen. Doing so will create lasting bonds and stronger relationships which will help others to work with you rather than against you.
- Give others a reason to support you and your vision. Let others know when they have done a great job and look for ways to recognise and reward their performance.
- Help others to buy into your vision by making them stakeholders in the attainment of shared goals. Seek their advice when setting goals and making plans on how they will be achieved.
- Help others to increase their abilities and fully utilise their talents by providing opportunities for training and self-development.
- Emphasise greater relationship leadership. Learn how to bring out the best in yourself and others. Utilise everyone’s best qualities by playing to their strengths and minimising their performance risks with effective assignment of tasks and delegation of responsibilities.
Regardless of your level of expertise, you can achieve greater success by learning how to implement your people skills to fully harness the talents and energy of others. These strategies will help you to increase your Emotional Intelligence and inspire others.
For more on developing greater self-awareness click here.
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Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash