With Covid-19 firmly in the rearview mirror in most parts of the world, entrepreneurs are now developing creative ways to shape inclusive and healthy work environments for employees. Rocky economic forecasts make this even more important as companies double their overgrowth in profitability. Keep up; join the wise employers who swear by leading with emotional intelligence.

What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence is the ability or quality that enables leaders to meet challenges with patience, insight, and control. Through emotional intelligence, leaders achieve a higher level of problem solving in the work environment. The ability to identify and monetize opportunities is also enhanced by emotional intelligence. Here are a few ways to turn around the output of 2023 by leading with emotional intelligence.

Related: Use These 7 Emotional Intelligence Tips to Be a Better Leader

How to lead with emotional intelligence

1. Embrace Diversity:

Diversity in the workplace is synonymous with variation in the human body. We all rely on large amounts of biological systems, gears and energy to stay alive and thrive. Each cell in your body is slightly different from the next, and so is the workforce. Every employee is different in his or her unique way. As a leader, it is important to embrace each employee with their eccentricities without judgment or victimization.

2. Prioritize your employees’ needs:

The best way to create a positive work environment is to consider your employee’s needs every step of the way. Employees are more likely to perform exceptionally in 2023 when they feel their needs are being met.

3. Practice Self-Awareness:

Self-awareness is recognizing how your emotions influence your behavior, especially towards your employees. Leaders who lack self-awareness often have high turnover rates. According to a study conducted by Georgetown University, the average worker lost commitment to their job because of leaders’ low emotional intelligence.

The best way to develop self-awareness is to take a close look at your behavior and attitude towards employees. How do you react when you are belittled? Are you calm and composed, or do you get furious? Introspection will open your eyes to your flaws; if it doesn’t work, you can always ask your employees for feedback.

3. Control Emotions:

Let’s face it, life isn’t always a walk in the park, especially when running a business. However, when dealing with employees, you need to keep your emotions in check. A big part of emotional intelligence is learning to identify different emotions you experience. If you find yourself getting angry often, try to deal with the situation without reacting emotionally. Instead, use facts and empathy to deal with the situation and see how it goes.

4. Learn New Concepts:

Learning is a lifelong journey for anyone who wants to keep growing. Learning new ways to handle situations as a leader is a great way to keep your employees happy. Show your subordinates that you are making an effort to change, and they will thank you and be more cooperative in their day-to-day tasks. Some new concepts you can choose to help with emotional intelligence are the art of meditation and empathy.

5. Diary:

Keeping a journal is a great way to express and shape your thoughts and emotions. Keeping a journal can help you identify desired behaviors and also learn about critical triggers in your daily life. Once you know where you’re going wrong, you can quickly come up with an action plan to improve your behavior in the best interest of the company.

6. Learn To Communicate Effectively:

Excellent and practical communication skills are among the more positive by-products of emotional intelligence. However, excellent communication skills can sometimes be used to achieve higher emotional intelligence. As a leader, your communication skills should always be on point. When it comes to communication, everything matters, from tone to how you say something. When it comes to communication, it’s not always one size fits all, so you need to learn how to approach each employee for maximum impact.

Related: Emotional intelligence is the secret to leadership in times of crisis

The benefits of emotional intelligence

1. Reduced Employee Turnover:

Emotionally intelligent people can keep a cool head in stressful situations. They can see reality for what it is by reading countless guises that employees make up. In the highly competitive business sector, employers struggle to retain good talent, and emotional mastery is one of the best tools to achieve this goal.

2. Improved Output:

A leader with high emotional intelligence can make all employees feel included. When employees feel they belong, they are more than likely to put in extra effort for day-to-day tasks. In today’s challenging economic times, companies place more value on output and profitability, making this benefit even more valuable to your business.

3. Better Teamwork:

Like other forms, emotional intelligence can be transferred through practice and teaching. Demonstrating your team’s emotional intelligence is likely to catch on and lead to better teamwork. People with high emotional intelligence communicate better within their teams, so they work better together.

4. Creates a Healthy Work Environment:

In a work environment where leaders have high emotional intelligence, employees enjoy a healthy work environment. Employees are also more likely to have longer and more fruitful careers. A leader with a high emotional quotient (EQ) can maintain excellent relationships within the company, encouraging teamwork and innovation. Employees also enjoy growth opportunities with the support of said leaders who nurture and support the interests of the employee.

The data is in and the numbers strongly suggest that emotional intelligence leadership empowers you and your company to identify and seize more opportunities. 2023 is the year you need to add emotional intelligence to your wheelhouse, for the sake of posterity. Harness the exponential potential hidden in emotional intelligence and make 2023 your best performing year yet.

Related: How to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence in 3 Steps