Emotional Intelligence and prevention of BHD

 

Tackling Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination (BHD) in an organization

 

Emotional Intelligence and prevention of BHD

 

12^th December 2023

Blog seven of Eight -  by Dilshad Banu Mohideen

We all know about AI, but how much do we know about EI?

Many people are unaware of the importance and power of emotional intelligence, so they don't bother to learn more about it or incorporate its principles into their lives. Psychologists believe this is an enormous mistake.

What is Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Why am I discussing this topic under tackling BHD?  Can we contribute to prevent BHD as individuals in our organizations?

What is EI?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize your own feelings and those of others, distinguish between different emotions, and use this information to guide our thinking and behavior to manage emotions effectively. According to research, people with higher emotional intelligence demonstrate better interpersonal relationships, improved decision-making skills, greater academic/career success. They also possess stress management and self-management skills and healthier physically and mentally.

Let’s try to understand this better and you may self assess to determine, if you possess the below abilities:

·        Self awareness - This includes being aware of their own feelings, understanding their triggers, and being able to adjust them effectively. Individuals with high EI are less likely to react spontaneously or aggressively to challenging situations, which can escalate conflicts and contribute to a toxic work environment.

·        Identify and understand the different emotions of others: Being able to read facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice to precisely assess feelings of others. By understanding the emotions of others, individuals can better empathize with them and respond in a way that is considerate and respectful.

·        Build strong relationships: Individuals with high EI are skilled at communicating effectively and building trust with others. They are able to resolve conflicts constructively and help a positive and collaborative work environment.

·        Be assertive and set limitations: Being able to speak up and defend in a respectful and professional manner. Individuals with high EI know how to set clear limitations and communicate their expectations successfully.

·        Promote respect and inclusion: Individuals with high EI can influence others by establishing inclusivity and respect towards others, regardless of their colour, ethnicity, beliefs, or race. They speak up against any harassment, discriminatory or bullying behavior they witness.

 

 

Benefits of high EI:

·        Improved mental health: Individuals with high EQ are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress.

·        Stronger relationships: They are better at communicating, building trust, and resolving conflicts.

·        Effective leadership: They are more inspiring, motivating, and able to build a positive team culture.

·        Enhanced adaptation: They are better at adapting to change, managing stress, and making decisions.

·        Greater achievement in life: They are more resilient, adaptable, and able to achieve their goals.

Do you have to naturally possess this abilities? The positive news is that we can all achieve higher emotional intelligence with practice - even if we didn't have an emotionally supportive environment earlier.

 

How can we develop EI:

·        Self reflection – pause a few times throughout the day and identify how you're feeling right then, why do you think you feel this way? What might help make things better?

·        Learn to recognize facial expressions & body language – which signals are being sent when others communicate via speech or nonverbal signals?

·        Practice gratitude daily – write down three things you're thankful for each morning & evening,  take time out for yourself regularly.

·        Develop active listening skills – be present without judgement while someone is speaking, ask open ended questions before trying to solve problems.

·        Start using deep breathing techniques like meditation or yoga regularly.

·        Set achievable goals and break them down into smaller chunks – this will also help build confidence in tackling new challenges that come up in life.

 

What is the connection between AI and BHD?

Several studies have demonstrated the positive relationship between emotional intelligence and the prevention of workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination. For example, a study published in the Journal of Educational Issues found that employees with high levels of emotional intelligence were less likely to be bullied or harassed at work.

Individuals can develop their emotional intelligence to prevent workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination. I have listed down some skills:

·        Practice self-awareness: Pay attention to your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Identify your personal triggers and develop strategies for managing them effectively.

·        Develop your empathy skills: Try to see things from others' perspectives and understand their emotions. Actively listen to others and be open to their experiences.

·        Strengthen your communication skills: Learn how to communicate effectively in both verbal and nonverbal ways. Be assertive and direct, but also be respectful and mindful of the impact of your words and language.

·        Seek feedback: Ask trusted colleagues for feedback on your emotional intelligence skills. This will help you identify areas where you can improve.

·        Develop your social skills: Build strong relationships with your colleagues. Learn how to resolve conflicts constructively and work collaboratively with others.

 

Emotional Intelligence can successfully mitigate the adverse effects of stressful situations in organizations.

Leaders with high emotional intelligence are equipped to work effectively under pressure by adapting their leadership style to different situations, lead people differently, regulate their emotions, enabling them to respond purposefully to challenges rather than being reactive.

Individual’s emotional intelligence influences how they deal with stressful situations. The effect of the BHD incident may vary according to the level of emotional intelligence that an individual possesses. Individuals with high emotional intelligence cope better with workplace bullying and harassment, while those with low emotional intelligence are impacted more negatively, especially their mental health.

Emotional Intelligent leaders and individuals can process information efficiently to make informed decisions and manage themselves because they have learnt how to communicate effectively and better manage interpersonal relationships as well as decision-making.

Emotional Intelligence helps to protect people from depression, anxiety, and aggression. It also equips them to overcome BHD by managing their emotions, and building the confidence to reach out for help.

By cultivating strong emotional intelligence skills, individuals can contribute to a healthier and more respectful work environment for everyone. This can lead to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational success.

References

·        Magazine, B. (2022). How Emotional Intelligence Can Prevent Workplace Bullying. [online] Brainz Magazine. Available at: https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/how-emotional-intelligence-can-prevent-workplace-bullying. Accessed on 10^th December 2023

·        Pallavi, P. (2019). Issue 6 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162). JETIR1906C23 Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, [online] 6. Available at: https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906C23.pdf.  Accessed on 7th of December 2023

 

·        Srivastava, K. (2018). Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 22(2), pp.97–99. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.132912. Accessed on 7th of December 2023