It is a muscle that needs to be constantly developed, and there is no better time than now to start. We have put together a list of six handy tips to get you started.

Improve your self-awareness

Being self-aware can help you become aware of patterns of behaviour and your motives. Not only does it help you react better to certain situations, but it can also save you time and energy when you are faced with certain situations. Try understanding why you feel the way you do before choosing to react to situations. Recognizing your strengths and limitations can prevent you from being too harsh on yourself and others. 

Leave room for learning

EQ is something that is learned and needs to be worked on regularly. You may not have the answers or know what to do initially. Therefore, reaching out for help to improve your EQ by going for coaching, reading self-help books, seeking professional help in the form of a psychologist, or participating in more activities that can help boost your EQ is essential. 

Developing empathy

“Listen to understand and not respond.” A well-known quote that comes with a vital part of developing your EQ. Empathy is one of the pillars of emotional intelligence. It is a healthy level of self-interest but not being self-centred. Developing the ability to understand where someone is coming from, making them feel heard before responding is a valuable skill to develop. 

Be open to feedback

While EQ helps us become a better version of ourselves, it also plays a significant role in creating better spaces for people to interact with us. To achieve this, it is important to be open to receiving feedback. It can be positive or negative feedback.

Team attitude 

Developing a soft skill such as EQ, which is becoming increasingly desirable for both work and life, can also improve your interactions with people. People who have EQ always look for ways in which everyone can win. Setting a standard for yourself which is healthy and thrives to bring out the best version of yourself, inspires the need to support others to do the same. It drives initiative and being a person focused on problem-solving. 

Celebrate the positive

Acknowledge the small wins you make. Take a moment to celebrate those positive moments and changes that you make. As much as you may be doing some reflecting and self-regulation when it comes to managing the negative aspects, it is equally important to celebrate the strides you make. Remember that it is a lifelong journey of celebrating and self-improvement.