The effects of low emotional intelligence in the workplace

Low EI can be displayed in a number of ways. One of the characteristics of low EI is poor impulse control – the inability to stop, think, and decide. Poor impulse control can be evidenced in an employee reacting to situations without proper consideration rather than planning and preparing for various scenarios. Low EI also causes difficulty handling stressful situations. Often times, there are stress-inducing instances at work, and the inability of employees to react maturely and productively could seriously harm an organization. Consider the following scenario:

An employee made an offer for a job project and was awarded the assignment. The work begins but the employee begins to feel overwhelmed and no longer wants to complete the project. In a panic, they return the assignment to the manager and request personal time off from work.

This employee has a low Emotional Intelligence. They also showed an inability to self-analyze to determine if they were capable of completing the project. They impulsively bid for a job without studying all the circumstances. When they are in a stressful situation, they choose to react hastily without considering the consequences, positive or negative, of their actions.

These types of events can be extremely costly for a business. It could cause loss of clientele, staff, time and money to reallocate the project and meet the client’s specifications.

Low EI levels also contribute to poor emotional understanding and irrational thinking. Emotions cannot be controlled if they are not accepted and understood first. In these circumstances, employees cannot see a situation accurately and, in particular, not in relation to how it affects others.

Consider this situation:

Two employees are approaching the project deadline and believe that they may not complete the work successfully in the allotted time remaining. They continue to work on the project, missing the deadline, and then turn it in when it’s complete. They did not give any notice to their superior or the client.

In this scenario, a low EI has again caused employees to react to situations from an immature point of view. They realized that they would not meet the deadline, but did not give any further thought to the ramifications for the company. They also did not seek help outside of themselves to achieve a successful outcome. This situation would not only cost the company money, but imagine the work environment that exists if employees do not show concern for their superiors. Interpersonal relationships are guaranteed to be unbalanced and unhealthy.

To correct the effects of low EI in the workplace, Cognitive Behavioral Coaching (CBC) has become an increasingly popular practice in companies. Training employees toward Emotional Intelligence through deep self-awareness that examines beliefs and influences actions reverses the company’s focus from correction to production.