Hugh Littleton of HJL Leadership Solutions was our speaker last Monday evening.
How does Emotional Intelligence apply to your job search? Management needs people who can support their co-workers in an empathetic way. Without a substantial degree of it, your job search is doomed.
Hugh stated that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a yardstick for leaders in transition. It’s not your intelligence (IQ), training, or expertise that will land you that next job. It’s how well you manage yourself and your emotions. Employers are looking for authenticity.
EI is not highly correlated with Intelligence Quotient.
“IQ will get you in the door, while EI will keep you there.” — Hugh Littleton
Hugh’s talk revolved around these five items:
- Understanding EI
- 5 Competencies to increase your EI
- Listen to and employ your emotions
- Show you care and build trust
- Use your energy and enthusiasm to inspire others
What is EI?
It’s about being aware of your feelings and those of others. It’s about being truthful – even when you don’t necessarily want to be.
EI Benefits
People who use Emotional Intelligence:
- Have greater success in selling their ideas
- Build stronger, personal relationships
- Have increased optimism and confidence
- Have better health because they understand ways to relieve stress. They breathe or do a quick meditation during difficult situations.
- Are risk-takers
- Have less workplace conflict – The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument is an assessment tool to understand your conflict resolution style. There are five – Collaboration, Compromise, Compete, Avoid, or Accommodate.
- Are better problem solvers
- Have an increased likelihood of achieving their goals. Hugh referenced Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People “Circle of Influence,” highlighting proactive people who focus on what they can do and can influence, not what they can’t do.
5 Competencies of EI
According to Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist who helped to popularize Emotional Intelligence, there are five critical elements to it:
- Self-awareness
Hugh suggested you identify three things you do well and three things you need to work on to make you a better worker. If you don’t know what to work on, he suggested you get an advocate (someone who will tell you the truth about your blind spots). Pradco, a free assessment tool to Hudson Job Search, helps candidates identify their work ons. - Self-regulation.
- Motivation.
- Empathy
- Social skills – listen more, talk less.
Takeaways
Hugh wrapped up his presentation by stating individuals with EI learn to reframe stressful situations and recognize that their emotions affect their job performance.
Other Helpful Resources
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Winning with Accountability: The Secret Language of High-Performing Organizations by Henry J. Evans
Hudson Job Search Can Help You
A mentor can be assigned to you on a one-on-one basis for residents and non-residents of Hudson, Ohio, who are currently unemployed. This seasoned counselor can work with you to polish essential job search skills, including:
- Goal Setting
- Effectively Organizing Your Job Search
- Coaching, including the PRADCO assessment
- Resume and Marketing Letter Writing
- Researching Positions and Companies
- Building and Exercising Your Network
- Interviewing
- Negotiating Compensation
- Closing the Offer
