Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment Issues and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • PTSD
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Christian Counseling for Children
        and Teens
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sex And Porn Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Bellevue Office FrontBellevue
    • Bothell Office Front EntranceBothell
    • Edmonds Christian CounselingEdmonds
    • Everett Office Front EntranceEverett
    • Federal Way Office FrontFederal Way
    • Hansville
    • Kent 2Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • LaceyLacey
    • Mill Creek Office Waiting RoomMill Creek
    • Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    • Puyallup Christian CounselingPuyallup
    • Redmond OfficeRedmond
    • Seattle Downtown OfficeSeattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake 2Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • Tacoma Office FrontTacoma
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (425) 939-6856Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

Making Use of Your Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Bellevue Christian Counseling
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/making-use-of-your-emotional-intelligence-in-the-workplace-5.jpg 960 720
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bellevue.jpg
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
Photo of Michelle Thorsteinson

Michelle Thorsteinson

Oct
2024
18

Making Use of Your Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Michelle Thorsteinson

CoachingIndividual CounselingPersonal DevelopmentProfessional Development

Have you ever heard the expression, “read the room” being used before? Often, it’s used when someone blunders into a situation and acts in a way that’s totally out of sync with the prevailing mood. They fail to pick up on the non-verbal and verbal cues given by others and respond inappropriately to what is being said and done. Failing to read the room can make you feel isolated and lost in social interactions.

Being able to read situations and respond appropriately is important not only in social settings but at the workplace as well. There are many interpersonal interactions in the workplace that involve being aware of others and knowing how to respond well to accomplish your goals.

Emotional intelligence explained

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability that people have to understand and manage their own emotions. The other aspect of emotional intelligence is having an awareness of others’ emotions and being able to communicate with and relate to them in an effective and constructive manner.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

People have a wide array of emotions that can be triggered by specific experiences or thoughts. Knowing how to control your emotions is important because sometimes they need to be reined in. It’s also important to know how to express your emotions, as they reveal what’s going on inside of you, including what you need. Others are also emotional beings, so you need to be able to understand, interpret, and respond appropriately to their emotions too.

Making Use of Your Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 2Just as with other skills, a person can grow in their ability to manage and express their own emotions, as well as make sense of and respond meaningfully to the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence is helpful in a variety of circumstances, including in the workplace. There are many benefits to having and using emotional intelligence, and some of these include the following:

Being more self-aware

An emotionally intelligent person is aware of what others are feeling and how it might affect them. Not only that, but they are also aware of what they are feeling and understand what could be contributing to their emotional state. This self-awareness enables a person to be more intentional in addressing their needs instead of being reactive in situations.

Being more measured

Having greater awareness of and control over your own emotions means being able to measure your response before acting. Emotions can be powerful, and given their way, you can make egregious mistakes and say or do things you regret afterward. Slowing down and giving a measured response, for instance, by not responding immediately in anger to being treated unfairly can help calm things down.

Exercising empathy

Making Use of Your Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 3Other people have emotions, as well. An emotionally intelligent person understands that others will have feelings about what’s going on, and they will have life experiences and perspectives that inform those feelings. Being aware of what might inform other’s actions and considering how you might respond in the same situation is at the heart of empathy. Empathy helps guide our response to others.

The value of emotional intelligence at work

As you can imagine, being at work involves more than simply performing certain tasks or having particular technical skills. While technical skills are important and necessary to get the job done, there is also a relational element. This relational element is crucial when it comes to interacting with coworkers or managing teams. Knowing how to read the room as you talk with colleagues or try to inspire your team is a necessary skill to possess.

If you are unable to recognize or understand other people’s emotions, and if you’re unable to respond effectively to those emotions, that lack of emotional intelligence often results in misunderstandings and conflict in the workplace. Using your emotional intelligence in the workplace can be helpful in several ways, including the following:

Managing conflict and communication well

For the workplace to run smoothly, people need to understand what they’re supposed to be doing, where the responsibility lies, and the motivation for doing that work. Emotional intelligence helps you determine the most effective way to get the message across, as well as in conflict management when it is required.

Creating team cohesion

Making Use of Your Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 1One of the worst things that a worker and team member can experience is for them to not feel seen or heard. An emotionally intelligent person can discern the concern behind what people say or do, and they can pick up if there’s a problem in specific relationships that needs to be addressed. When team members feel heard and their concerns are addressed, it paves the way for a more cohesive team.

Making wiser decisions

If a person cannot regulate their own emotions, they might make impulsive decisions when they ought to put more thought into them. Impulsive decisions in the workplace could mean expensive mistakes and jeopardize the integrity of the organization.

More productive teams

If a person is leading a team, or if they’re pursuing a project by themselves, having emotional intelligence can help them see themselves more objectively. When you see yourself more or less objectively, you can more readily and with humility see your weaknesses and strengths for what they are. You can set realistic targets, and boost morale while providing a good challenge.

A happier work environment

When a leader sees his people and makes the effort to see where they’re at and what they need, those people feel valued and appreciated for the work they are doing. When people are feeling appreciated, that can in turn help them to be more productive in their various tasks.

Having and applying emotional intelligence can make a huge difference in the workplace. The good news is that while some people may naturally have a greater deal of emotional intelligence, it’s a skill that can be developed over time and with practice.

Building your emotional intelligence

motional intelligence is a skill that can

e built over time. One of the ways to

egin doing this is by recognizing how

emotional intelligence can be used in various ways in daily life. You can practice your emotional intelligence by learning to say “no” when needed, by learning to listen to others with empathy when they speak, by not being judgmental of others, by accepting criticism and moving on when you mess up, and by sharing your feelings with others.

Some practices that you can consider implementing to help build emotional intelligence include thinking about your own weaknesses and strengths, which allows you to know when to offer or ask for help from others. You can also intentionally slow down and pay attention to how you or the other person are reacting in a given situation and try to understand why you feel the way you do.

You can also pay attention to the non-verbal cues that people give when you’re engaging with them. These cues include facial expressions, tone of voice, and body posture. When you develop awareness about these cues, you can move toward them and validate any concerns they may have. Take time to also reflect on how your emotions affect how you think and behave, and how they might affect others.

Making Use of Your Emotional Intelligence in the WorkplaceListening is another important skill that can help with developing emotional intelligence. Effective listening involves being fully present with someone, so much so that they leave the conversation feeling seen and heard. It includes asking clarifying questions, not jumping to conclusions, and making sure you’re not distracted while talking to the other person.

Emotional intelligence is a necessary skill that helps you manage yourself and your emotions well. It also helps you respond to the emotions of others in appropriate ways, which has a huge impact on your personal and work relationships.

If you need guidance about how to develop your emotional intelligence, you can speak to a counselor or a life coach who can help you understand yourself better and learn how to deal effectively with emotions. Give our office a call today.

Photos:
“Co-Working”, Courtesy of Pixabay.com, CC0 License; “Stand Up Meeting”, Courtesy of u_grnpgbsbxn, Pixabay.com, CC0 License; “Planning Session”, Courtesy of Austin Distel, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Meeting”, Courtesy of Tim Gouw, Unsplash.com, CC0 License

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Michelle Thorsteinson
Schedule with Michelle
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Michelle Thorsteinson

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
(425) 608-0729 michellet@seattlechristiancounseling.com

As your therapist, I offer honesty, openness, comfort, and a commitment to seeking God’s guidance and direction for our time together. In John 10:10b, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” As your counselor, I will listen for those parts of your story where you are not experiencing “life to the full” and explore possibilities for how your story could be expressed differently and with preferred meaning moving forward. Ultimately, my priority is to give my best to your process, and to trust that our mutual commitment toward your healing and wholeness will help draw you closer to the fullness of life that God intends for you. Read more articles by Michelle »

Other articles that might interest you...

A Guide to the Best Personal Development Books
Bellevue Christian Counseling

A Guide to the Best Personal ...

A Christian Counselor’s Recommendations Personal development is a popular topic in our society. While most folks shop online for the...

continue reading »
Ways Christian Counseling Aids Personal Growth and Development
Bellevue Christian Counseling

Ways Christian Counseling Aids Personal ...

Counseling can take many different forms, and it can have many different goals and outcomes. There are a variety of...

continue reading »
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 4
Photo of Jennifer Gannon

Jennifer Gannon

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Emotional Intelligence, also referred to as EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) is the ability to perceive, interpret, and understand one’s own...

continue reading »

About Michelle

Photo of Michelle Thorsteinson

Michelle Thorsteinson, MS, LMHCA, LMFTA

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

As your therapist, I offer honesty, openness, comfort, and a commitment to seeking God’s guidance and direction for our time together. In John 10:10b, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” As your counselor, I will listen for those parts of your story where you are not experiencing “life to the full” and explore possibilities for how your story could be expressed differently and with preferred meaning moving forward. Ultimately, my priority is to give my best to your process, and to trust that our mutual commitment toward your healing and wholeness will help draw you closer to the fullness of life that God intends for you. View Michelle's Profile

Recent articles by Michelle

  • Mar 18 · Understanding the Relationship Between Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts
  • Nov 27 · How Intimacy With God Affects Your Relationships Positively
  • Nov 26 · In Your Weeping: How to Cope With Grief
See all articles by Michelle »

Related Services

  • Coaching
  • Individual Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Professional Development

Michelle's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Everett office

    Everett

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (425) 608-0729
    2722 Colby Avenue, suite 602 Everett, WA 98201

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Monroe office

    Monroe

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (360) 799-4777
    909 West Main Street, suite 203 Monroe, WA 98272

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Online (WA only) office

    Online (WA only)

    General Office Number

    (206) 388-3929
    ,  

    View Office Details
Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2025 Bellevue Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
330 112th Ave NE,, Bellevue, WA 98004. Tel (425) 939-6856.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
We are open for business. In person and online counseling are available now.