Posts Tagged ‘Emotional Intelligence’
Upcoming Watershed Training Events
Join Wendy Woods Monday at 8:15am to laugh away Blue Monday – Flow 93.5
Monday is called Blue Monday as it’s supposed to be the most depressing day of the year.
No more as Wendy leads you in a series of laughter yoga activities on the JJ and Melanie in the morning show. Simply tune in to 93.5FM
And laugh http://flow935.com/onair/shows/
Want to be more effective and productive at work?
Join Wendy Woods on March 5th for her Emotional Intelligence workshop. In this interactive session participants examine their Emotional Intelligence to identify strengths and challenges and develop strategies for greater results. Personalized action plans are created to support continued success. (The Bar-On EQ-i is to be completed prior to the session.)To get additional information and register visit
Get In on the Fun with WTS
Watershed Training Solutions has two great events in June that are designed to enhance your workplace experience while equipping you with the necessary tools to get the job done effectively and efficiently.
June 17th CMA Ontario – Essential Leadership Skills
This is an interactive and informative workshop that will identify critical emotional intelligence competencies, transforming you into the optimal leader.
June 29th – Releasing Stress Through Laughter Yoga
Giggle your way to stress relief by joining in on the HA HA HA. This is an introductory program that will outline the value of laughter as a way of increasing joy and decreasing physical and psychological stress. Not convinced? Learn about the history of this fascinating field and the studies that have amazed specialists internationally.
Simple Steps for Creating a Great Relationship with your Boss
- Understand their goals so you can help them succeed. This may involve asking what their goals are so you can be aligned with them. They’ll appreciate your desire to support them.
- Meet regularly. Even if it’s for only 10 mins, it gives you an opportunity to touch base and get your questions answered. Make sure you prepare the agenda and put the meeting in his/her schedule.
- Manage their problems. The more you can help them deal with problems, the more invaluable you’ll become.
- Give them positive feedback. Let them know when they have done something that is helpful or valuable for you (e.g. filling you in on a weekly meeting, giving you greater authority or responsibility)
- Let them know what you are working on. Bosses often have so many things on the go they often forget everything you are working on. Give them a quick update to let them know you have everything under control. It will also help them see how hard you are working
The Self Aware Leader
In How to Crack the Self-Awareness Paradigm, written by John Baldoni (Havard Business Review, December 2009), Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, admitted that he had some weaknesses coming out of the recent recession and was committed to making changes. Immelt demonstrated a crucial aspect of leadership: self-awareness. This skill is the ability to see one’s shortcomings and to improve on faults. Self-awareness allows a leader to see where they need to invest their time and how they can better themselves.
According to Baldoni’s article a self-aware leader should know their limitations and be able to manage their time effectively. Sometimes managers set expectations too high and attend to several needless tasks rather than focus on the important issues. These important issues are not always tasks but rather employees. Sometimes managers focus too much on their work and forget about their interacting and engaging their employees, but a leader that is self aware never does.
The last and most crucial aspect is the ability to evaluate and act on criticism. It takes humility for one to acknowledge that they have short comings that others can see . When given criticism, self-aware leaders need to take and build upon it in order to make themselves better. No one is perfect and a self-aware leader understands that and works on criticism to become better.
EQ vs. IQ ?: Is the Smart Quiet Type No Longer the Star Employee?
Emotional intelligence has become an increasingly popular requirement among employers. In the Globe and Mail article, Emotional intelligence trumps technical know-how, the IT service company, Softchoice, boldly stated that a stronger emphasis on emotional intelligence (EQ) is required for today`s workplace.
An emerging trend among companies: hire employees for their attitude and then teach them skills during their careers. They want employees who are flexible, adaptable, and have the ability to inspire their co-workers. This is an enormous asset in the modern multi-generational/cultural workplace. An employee who can spread optimism within a team and empathize with people who may be in a different cohort is immensely valuable. Employee qualifications are changing. The technical knowledge that can be learned is no longer “hot property”. The emotional skills that are able to boost a team`s performance are significantly more valued than the technical skills that can only increase an individual`s performance.
At the same time, companies need to brand themselves as a strong company that can accommodate these emotionally intelligent employees. Great benefits, diverse career opportunities, and much more is needed to draw these individuals to companies.
The Costs of Stress
Stress is one consequence of today’s workplace with a high economic cost according to Dan Bobinski in Superman is a Fictional Character, In fact, research shows that the cost of stress to the American workplaces is about $300 million annually.
Companies have been doing what they can to try and alleviate the stress of their employees by providing benefits (e.g. massages, yoga classes) and programs (e.g. Employee Assistance Program) but they are not solving the problem. Employees and executives still feel like they are losing control of their work load.
An effective and proven solution is teaching employees self awareness so they can see their strengths and blind spots and manage the latter accordingly. Modern companies nowadays have made emotional intelligences programs a part of their workplace, as research shows that 80% of workplace success is a direct result of emotional intelligence.
Family and friends can be great stress relievers. Also, if you have the time, take a look at our Stress Busters Ebook.
10 Ways to Improve Office Morale
Image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
- Thank everyone each time they help you out. Gratitude takes only 30 seconds but lasts for days; a worthwhile investment.
- Share a laugh with a co-worker. There is nothing like a good laugh to reduce stress and improve relationships in the office. Some easy ways to do this include: creating a humour board at work or including a funny video or cartoon in a meeting or at a presentation.
- Celebrate birthdays. Remember people’s birthdays or have a party for everyone who has a birthday in that month.
- Spend time with co-workers. Be present and seen around the office. Make sure to visit everyone at least weekly to say hello and ask about their work and life outside the office. This helps reinforce the relationship and will pay dividends in many ways.
- Create a “Got you” jar. Have employees place a quarter or dollar every time they mention that certain buzzword, social media site or reality show. Use the money for an activity or on something enjoyable outside the office.
- Acknowledge your coworkers’ accomplishments. Whether it’s telling them they did a god job or sharing their accomplishments with others, everyone likes to get a pat on the back.
- Create a relaxation zone. This is an enclosed area in which employees can take a 5 minute break to de-stress interruption free.
- Be honest. A culture of honesty and sharing builds a community, which in turn embraces its members both socially and emotionally.
- Acknowledge mistakes. Be open about slip-ups and failures. Co-workers will see you as human and relate better to you.
- Provide rewards or perks. Money doesn’t motivate. If it did, why do so many people take pay cuts to do a job they enjoy? Instead, give more emotionally intelligent rewards, such as free lunch or more time off.
