As we continue to work with and around Covid, the need to be more aware of different cultures / different states or regions / countries has become much more important for business and people leaders.

cultural awareness

We do not need to work in global companies or organisations that cover different regions / states, to possess global awareness.  There is a huge need to just think before we ask some usually routine (pre-Covid) questions.

No longer can we ask the obligatory:

“What do you have planned for the weekend?” on Friday

or

“How was your weekend?” On Monday morning…

And we can forget about asking about international travel and holidays for at least another 12-18 months.

Let us put some perspective behind this. For some employees who are in lockdown, who are working remotely for an extended period of time – one day is the same as every other day (minus the VC meetings of course) – we have all been there: confined to a space we call home, adhering to strict lockdown regulations.

A mere mention of a holiday, a mini break, a trip to the beach can (unintentionally) have a negative impact.

We must be more aware of our team members and what they are encountering, even if everything is ‘normal’ where you are.

Our Emotional Intelligence (EI) needs to be more honed than ever to avoid some unintended consequences that might at the very least isolate or dis-engage some employees or in the worst-case scenario may cause some mental health issues.

So, what exactly is Emotional Intelligence?

According to Daniel Goleman, a psychologist and award-winning author:

“Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.”

How Emotionally Intelligent are you?

Well – this is the million-dollar question to ask yourself!

For those who have answered “very” – ask yourself these two questions:

  1. When was the last time you checked?
  2. When was the last time you promoted emotional and intellectual growth to one of your team?

For those of you who answered “not sure” – it is time to check in and a quick assessment may be the first step.

For those of you who answered “not very” – it is the time to learn!

Why is it so important?

Culture, as we know, is a critical element to a business. Engagement and the people we work with, and for, is one of the best engagement drivers to aspire to.

The EI of the leaders and team members of an organisation is also a crucial part of business DNA in my opinion.

The higher the level of EI across an organisation will increase:

  • the overall workplace culture
  • increase respect
  • increase psychological safety and
  • a deeper understanding of each of us as individuals

So, it is a crucial development area for us all.

How do I do this?

Optimum Consulting offers a range of assessments and organisational intelligence solutions.

For the individual we have created a career coaching area to help you progress to the next level of your career or just become a better team player / manager / leader.

If this is on your agenda – why not sign up to our Career Support platform Fllair™ (Yes, it is free):

And head to the marketplace to find our Leadership Career Accelerator Program.

If you manage a team or are interested in leadership development across your organisation, we have a series of workshops, leadership development programs to help unlock and increase high performing teams.

Do you want to get a gauge of how Emotional Intelligent you are right here right now?

Please click on the link below, answer honestly…                               

http://response.employeelife.com/surveys/60efd7dc92b4b7293babf55e/60efd7dc92b4b7293babf567

As we continue to learn about how we work and how our brains work, this really is an area of focus for us all.

Self-awareness is linked to knowing ourselves of course but will also help with how we deal with change and those inevitable curve balls that life throws at us.

STEPHEN CUSHION
General Manager – Consulting

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