Is it relevant? 

There are plenty of studies around which demonstrate that Emotional intelligence has been linked to better staff morale, increased productivity, higher job satisfaction and organisational commitment.  However as we move more and more to the use of on-line mechanisms of communication what does that mean for our ability to communicate … as people?

Social Media is about Social Science and not technology.

Social Science is defined as the scientific study of human society and social relationships. Realising that there is a person on the end of all communication means that the ability to demonstrate a high level of Emotional intelligence is essential, not only, for getting the desired outcome but perhaps more importantly nurturing ongoing internal and external relationships.

You can argue that these days digital communication:-

- Can act as your receptionist or first point of contact
- Is your spokesperson
- Is the main contact for your most talkative customers?

So do we place enough emphasis on how we are communicating on-line?

Let’s have a look at EI in a more generalized context…

Because emotions affect the way we think it ultimately affects the decisions we make. Emotional Intelligence makes a huge difference in the workplace. 

• Effective leaders communicate how they feel to inspire and generate confidence from others

   

• High performing sales teams think more about how their customers feel to strengthen their selling relationships

   

• Teams that work together are more aware of how emotions help and hinder the team’s performance increasing job satisfaction and retention.

Effective emotional intelligence has been shown to improve important organisational variables such as:

• Leadership capability

   

• Employee performance and productivity

   

• Sales revenue

   

• Employee job satisfaction and engagement

Ask yourself:

• Have you ever known someone or been in a situation where you did not hire someone because ‘something just didn’t feel right’

   

• Have you missed out on a promotion because of poor leadership or communication skills

   

• Have you ever been bullied or had any interpersonal conflict

   

• Would you ask your boss for more resources when they are having a bad day?

Emotions influence our behaviour that we display to others.  This gets reflected through our tone of voice, our body language and our facial expressions.  So how is this transferred onto effective communication on-line? Well, as mentioned in the previous blog the values that make a online social media campaign successful -- listening, sharing and remaining as transparent as possible --can improve your relationships with customers and colleagues.

Emotions influence our performance – so ask yourself how do you perform at work when you feel frustrated, bored, distracted, irritated or annoyed aboutsomething or someone?  Contrast this to how you perform when you are upbeat, positive, satisfied or optimistic.

Low morale or 'culture' in a workplace can stem from a lack of trust and understanding of our own and organizational values, that coupled with low Emotional Intelligence and it’s no wonder many people feel dissatisfied, anxious and fed up.