Intelligence is sometimes considered one of the most critical assets in an entrepreneur, but now we know that emotional intelligence is just as relevant. You can be knowledgeable about a lot of things, but if you don't quite know how to manage your emotions and your reactions to the emotions of others, you might be in trouble.
As a business owner, you must have emotional intelligence, but that doesn't always come naturally to some. Can you relate? If so, that's ok. Just like most things in life, emotional intelligence is a trait that can be learned. Here are some tips to help you improve in this area:
Whenever we allow our emotions to dictate our actions, we tend to get in trouble. Stay away from impulsive reactions and instead, take a sec to analyze the situation and respond accordingly.
Learn to acknowledge and understand how you feel. Pay close attention to your mood changes and try to identify why they happen. As you begin to understand your emotional triggers, you'll also learn how to work around them.
Being empathetic is essential. As a leader, you don't want to come off as self-centered and oblivious of people's feelings. Putting yourself in other people's shoes will help you connect with them and empathize.
Negative comments and even constructive ones can sometimes be a little hard to swallow, but there's almost always something to be learned behind each one of them. Don't take things personally. Take advantage of those remarks to help you grow as a professional and improve your products or services.
Stay away from the habit of blaming things on others. Instead of pointing the finger, be responsible for your decisions and actions. Mistakes will happen, and things won't always turn out the way you expected them to, and that's ok. Acknowledge it, own it and find a solution that helps you get closer to your goals.
The way you talk to others is significant. Your tone and choice of words should affect people in a positive way, not a negative one. Learn to exercise your role as a listener and be careful what you say and how you say it. These are signs of a great communicator.
Emotional intelligence is not to be underestimated. It has the power to change things. Whether those changes are positive or negative, it's really up to you. Be a true leader. Start your journey as an independent insurance agency owner, strengthen your emotional intelligence, and you can be sure you're on the right path to greatness.