The Importance of Good Relationships in the Workplace

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Being emotionally intelligent and having good relationships in the workplace are important skills in our society. No matter what position a person holds in a company, achieving results requires productive working relationships with others. Developing good human relationships is the foundation for successful businesses. According to Goleman, our "Emotional Quotient (EQ) defines our capacity for relationships" (Goleman 1995). He adds, "Rational intelligence only contributes about 20% to factors that determine success in life. Some other factors such as luck and other characteristics of EQ, make up the other 80%" (Goleman 1995). In 1990, Peter Salovey and John Mayer introduced the term "emotional intelligence." Daniel Goleman made the term popular in 1995 in his bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ? According to Goleman, Emotional intelligence consists of five major characteristics (Goleman 43; Caudron & Shari 1999). These characteristics include being self aware, knowing how to manage moods, being able to motivate oneself, being empathetic, and having good interpersonal skills. Having good Emotional Intelligence skills is extremely important in today's business environment. Managers of organizations and Human Resource departments are being faced with challenges because businesses do not compete in terms of product offering alone. The swiftness of technical innovations, competition and pressure from investors is the reason behind this fast change. Because of this, organisations are forced to establish efficiency-orientated programs to ensure efficiency, productivity and competitiveness, for example "restructuring" to a lean and flat organisational structure. This th... ... middle of paper ... ...y might face. A highly developed Emotional Intelligence controls impulses and delays gratification, it manages overwhelming thoughts and allows people to better empathise with others. Higher levels of Emotional Intelligence characteristics are associated with better performance and success. However, there is no immediate and easy process to improve one's competency in Emotional intelligence. One must be determined to conduct a critical self-evaluation and make a commitment to improvement. Large organizations have to create a working environment that reinforces the learning process. Management should be aware that a lack of Emotional Intelligence skills from employees at all levels can lead to a lack of innovation and creativity, decreased productivity, decreased customer satisfaction, a high turnover, declines in revenue, and a negative atmosphere in the workplace.

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