Emotional Intelligence!
I know, I know. We have been talking about this for years now since Daniel Goleman published his first book in the nineties. But there is still so much to be said, and done, when it comes to understanding EI.
The reason why you should want to be knowledgeable about EI is that it is shorthand for how effectively your emotions can serve you rather than hinder you. Instead of getting you into trouble, they will get you out of jail, free!
How valuable is that?
And if you are of the opinion that there is no place for emotions in the work place, then you need to reflect on the overwhelming medical data that says that suppressed emotions is a leading factor in increasing stress. The same data also says that an intimate relationship exists between stress and the immune system. Too much of the former will overwhelm the latter. We all know that.
So, considering that you spend the majority of your time at work, understanding and managing your emotions look like a winning recipe to me. Conversely, insisting on ignoring them is likely to get you into trouble in no time fast.
If you don’t know where to start, or how to start, ask for help. That may very well be your first emotional decision.
How you lead yourself, and others, matters.