Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve focused on the importance of EQ in the workplace. to recap, the first two quadrants of EQ – Self-Awareness and Self-Management – focus on personal aspects of EQ. These form the foundation of EQ, because if you can’t understand and regulate your own emotion, it’s difficult to relate to others. The next two quadrants focus on knowing and managing others, which is the essence of leadership. And it starts with Social Awareness.
Social awareness – or social recognition is about understanding those around you. That is, your peers, colleagues, subordinates, managers, customers, suppliers. In fact, every business deals with people at the end of the day, and how you engage with them is often the difference between success and failure.
There are 5 sub-categories of social awareness:
- Empathy, Sensitivity, Appreciation: People with high EQ are able to accurately pick up emotional cues from communication. This could be words, tone or non-verbal signals such as body language. They can manage direct and indirect feedback effectively. It’s about being attentive, sensitive, aware and appreciative of the emotional signals of others.
- Service, Compassion, Benevolence: Emotionally intelligent people operate with a sense of contribution and an emphasis on giving rather than “what’s in it for me”. As a leader, it’s about aiding, helping, coaching and developing others. Furthermore, it’s a recognition that you can contribute positively to the emotional states of others. High EQ is characterised by identifying the needs, wants and desires of others and also being able to relate to alternative thoughts, perceptions and perspectives.
- Holistic Communication: Emotional intelligence is having the ability to effectively send and receive information including emotional content. Firstly, it’s about listening, engaging and connecting with others. And secondly, it’s about sending verbal and nonverbal signals about your emotions in a constructive manner.
- Situational Perceptual Awareness: People react differently in different situations. Having high EQ means you are able to recognise and process emotional data that shifts and changes. In addition, it’s about paying attention, being aware and focusing on the variables that might influence others’ emotions. It’s about understanding which factors count, and responding appropriately.
- Interpersonal Development: Business is about people. To be successful, you need to grow and nurture constructive connections. Moreover, as your EQ improves, so does the depth and breadth of your personal and professional relationships. It’s about resonating with others and building rapport.
Improving social awareness:
- Be curious and interested in other people.
- Avoid prejudice and self-centeredness.
- Actively listen without distraction or judgment.
- Focus attention on others and what they are willing to share.
- Hear both verbal and nonverbal communication.
- Be sensitive, appreciative, validating and respectful of others. Value both the person and the message they send.
- Look for the best in others and see them with positive regard. Recognize possibilities and potentials.
- Show support and encouragement. Display understanding through physical and verbal communication.
- Provide value to others by developing a passion to connect, serve, and help others.
- Demonstrate respect with words, tone and attention. Act with politeness, courtesy and etiquette.
- Reflect on information to adjust communication and behaviours. Adapt to different personalities, situations and dynamics.
- Offer constructive feedback, information and dialogue and communicate positively.
- Express feelings in an appropriate, effective way. Manage drama and presentation.
- Test perceptions. Decode accurately, fairly, and effectively and then present feelings in sensitive, appropriate, useful, honest ways.
- Finally, empathize with others. Let them know and feel the connection.
What’s important to remember as you grow as a leader is that “It’s Not About You”. Social awareness is the foundation of leadership. Therefore, without truly taking the time to understand others, you will not be able to manage them effectively.
How advanced is your social awareness? Or that of your team? The higher the EQ of your team, the more effectively you’ll operate. If it’s time to hone these skills, then contact me to facilitate a fun and interactive workshop that will give you and your team the tools to improve EQ.
