Emotional intelligence is essential to business and personal success.
It has been linked to higher salaries and job satisfaction.
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So, what is the foundation of emotional intelligence?
Empathy
Empathy gives us the ability to understand and share other people’s feelings and experiences.
It fosters true connection.
In essence, it’s what makes us human.
So, it seems a bit unusual to think in terms of ‘boosting’ empathy.
It is generally believed that once we reach adulthood, empathy is pretty much a fixed quality.
But that’s not entirely true.
Here are four ways you can boost empathy to increase your emotional intelligence.
Read Fiction
Immersing yourself in a novel and seeing the world through somebody else’s eyes expands your perspective.
Try Something New…In Front Of People
A physical challenge, a new language, a dance routine, a monologue – it doesn’t matter.
Being a beginner, and trying and failing, is humbling.
Humility goes hand in hand with empathy.
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Be Open To Examining Your Judgments And Biases
Biases shut down connections and block our ability to listen and empathize.
We all have biases.
Reflect on yours.
Practice On Yourself First
Get in the habit of observing and labeling your own emotions daily.
Once or twice a day, pause and pick out two emotions you are feeling.
There are resources online that provide a list of emotions to choose from.
Many people believe that in order to succeed, you must be tough and unreadable in business situations.
This is the furthest thing from the truth.
Forming connections and relationships are essential to sustained success.
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Check out these other posts on emotional intelligence:
- The #1 Skill Of Emotionally Intelligent People
- The 7 Things Emotionally Intelligent People NEVER Do
- Don’t Be An ‘Emotion Whisperer’
- How Do You Know If You’re Being Assertive Or Aggressive?
- The One Thing Emotionally Intelligent People Do Before Making Big Decisions
- How To Read Body Language In The Digital Age
- Boost Emotional Intelligence By Doing THIS For 10 Minutes A Day
- How Emotional Intelligence Can Help You Navigate Major Change
- How To Stay Calm When Someone Hits A Nerve