Get Rid of Roadblocks to Good EQ!

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Author(s): Jean Walker is executive vice president of OI Partners (Portland)

It's not enough to create a great vision and mission for your organization. You have to create a culture to match. Leaders have the power to build an environment for success, to build commitment in their employees, to increase confidence and decision making skills and improve work performance. It's a matter of good Emotional Intelligence at work and working for you.

Management attitudes and actions which create roadblocks to effective workplace EQ include:

1. Constant change: Creates insecurity, lack of focus, questioning competencies and ability to cope. Solution: Communicate a change will occur as soon as possible, provide clear explanation of the reason for and value of the change, provide training and coaching to deal with the new expectations.

2. Micromanaging: Implies manager does not have confidence in the employee; rigidity and "one way" thinking kills potential for innovation and creativity. Solution: Sit down with employees and discuss goals and potential ways of handling the issues involved; then, turn implementation over to them, ask for feedback on a reasonable basis.

3. Unreasonable work load: Results in employees feeling hopeless and helpless; the impossible is de-energizing and demoralizing. Solution: Assess the job and the employee's skills, experience and capabilities realistically. Is it a match? Ask for their input on eliminating unnecessary procedures which may be getting in the way.

4. Inequities: Unfair and unjust treatment builds resentment and diminishes commitment. Cynicism and a "what's the use?" attitude results. Solution: First, eliminate inequities! Set standards and treat everyone comparably. Be sure employees understand any perceived differences.

5. Alienation: Feeling left out. Often a result of the virtual workplace and independent contracting where people work autonomously and, too often, anonymously. Solution: Look for opportunities to bring the team together on a regular basis; increase teaming and partnerships on a revolving basis to encourage healthy respect and interdependence.

6. Judgmental attitude: No point in trying. It's never good enough. The result is resentment, lack of confidence and decreased enthusiasm for the job or the organization. Solution: Don't wait for the big one; look for opportunities to celebrate small wins. Give feedback often and criticism clearly, without blame. Focus on the task, not on demeaning the person.

Emotionally intelligent leaders create a climate where people are free to explore, to communicate openly without fear of betrayal or exploitation; where excellence is acknowledged and rewarded, and where people understand and pursue organizational goals with intentionality, bringing their talents, skills and experiences to meet the challenges and overcome the obstacles.

Jean Walker is executive vice president of OI Partners (Portland). She has more than 20 years of experience in education, management and career counseling, and she is author of The Age Advantage: Making the Most of Your Midlife Career Transition. Jean also serves as one of 12 Board Governors from 7 countries of the Institute of Career Certification International. She can be reached at jwalker@oipartners.net or 503-221-8747.

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