Communication for Leaders

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DISCUSS THE CONCEPT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND JUSTIFY ITS IMPORTANCE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE.

"Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence impacts many different aspects of your daily life, such as the way you behave and the way you interact with others" (Help Guide, 2013). In layman terms, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and control the emotions of oneself, others, and a group.
Throughout my doctoral journey, I have read a number of books about emotional intelligence. Danial Goleman wrote one of the best books that I have read about the subject of emotional intelligence. Goleman addresses the essential nature of emotional intelligence. Further, he describes why emotional intelligence is important to individuals and to the workplace. Individuals who possess emotional intelligence are assets to organizational cultures for some of the following reasons (as described by Fletcher, 2012):
1. Being self-aware is extremely critical to a workplace's culture. Self-aware individuals are often able to respond to situations, issues, and problems in a professional manner, as they can control their emotions and perceive desired situational emotions.
2. Emotional management, as stated above, is important to the workplace. Individuals who can handle situations, regardless of their feelings or the complexity of the situation, are assets to the workplace. Individuals who can handle their emotions can often separate themselves from the issue.
3. Effective communication is a trait that is often associated with emotional intelligence. Many workplace issues arise because individuals are unable to clearly communicate their feelings, perspectives, etc. Imagine how many issues can be reduced with individuals who possess the ability to effectively communicate with others?
4. Have you ever met someone who is social awkward? In the workplace, these people tend to stand out like a sore thumb... Furthermore, they cannot read social cues. Social awareness is essential in the workplace. Individuals who are social aware are able to connect to others through empathy, loyalty, respect, kindness, sympathy, etc.
5. Many workplace issues can be prevented through conflict resolution skills. Unfortunately, many individuals with various workplaces are unable to effectively handle conflict due to their ability to understand others. Through emotional intelligence, especially at the leadership level, individuals are able resolve workplace conflict without using a mediator or external consultant.

Fletcher, S. (2012, May 30). 5 reasons why emotional intelligence is critical for leaders. Retrieved from http://leadchangegroup.com/5-reasons-why-emotional-intelligence-is-critical-for-leaders/.

DO YOU SEE A VALUE IN THE USE OF THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR (MBTI) AS A MEANS OF INCREASING EMPLOYEE SELF-AWARENESS? JUSTIFY YOUR POSITION WITH SUPPORT FROM THE TEXT AND/OR ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC SOURCES.
I firmly believe that the MBTI is extremely important in the workplace. In fact, I've written a conference article about MBTI. It is important to note that MBTI and its use in the workplace, specifically in terms of employee self-awareness, has been somewhat controversial.
Before beginning, it is important to note that many Human Resource Departments are now offering employees the opportunity to take a comprehensive MBTI test, which is offered free of charge, to increase self-awareness and promote intergroup awareness. The MBTI test, which is normally expensive if taken in whole, identifies eight unique factors related to individual personalities. Such factors include introvert versus extrovert, sensing versus intuitive, thinking versus feeling, and judgment versus perceiving. These eight unique factors account for sixteen different personality types, which can influence the manner in which individuals interact.
Often times, individuals do not ...