{"id":18709,"date":"2020-07-02T09:38:59","date_gmt":"2020-07-02T13:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opsweb.wpengine.com\/?p=18709"},"modified":"2021-07-01T16:43:24","modified_gmt":"2021-07-01T20:43:24","slug":"the-importance-of-emotional-intelligence-and-communication-in-a-virtual-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/blog\/the-importance-of-emotional-intelligence-and-communication-in-a-virtual-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of emotional intelligence and communication in a virtual world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI think\nyou\u2019re on mute.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nfrequent use of this now common phrase is one small example of changes the\nglobal pandemic has caused. The many workplace changes employees have faced also\nintroduced new pressures on how to communicate effectively. It\u2019s important to find\nways to deconstruct those pressures in a positive, deliberate manner to help improve\nyour virtual work environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing\nand demonstrating emotional intelligence can help with those efforts, which should\nalso include developing more effective virtual relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional intelligence is the ability to acknowledge your own emotions and recognize the emotions of others and use that information to guide your behavior. The practice of emotional intelligence is difficult enough to perfect in \u201cnormal\u201d situations when people work together in person. It is even tougher to assess the emotional status of our coworkers in a virtual environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it can\nbe done. It requires three things: self-awareness, empathy and the engagement\nof others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an\noffice environment, self-awareness may look like stopping by a colleague\u2019s desk\nto clarify a point you made earlier that you sensed may have caused confusion.\nIn a virtual environment, this check-in could be a phone call or a quick instant\nmessage conveying the same information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empathy in\nan office environment might be expressed through conversations over coffee. In a\nvirtual world, you can still have these moments of understanding and shared\nfeelings, although they\u2019ll have to be via calls or video. You can also show empathy\nby providing colleagues with extra time and flexibility if their responsibilities\noutside of work have intensified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, effective leadership and emotional intelligence is cultivated through how you engage with others and recognize their needs. The Partnership\u2019s Public Service Leadership Model<\/a> shows a foundational approach to engaging others and ensuring their professional and personal needs are met. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to think critically and thoroughly about how your current circumstances affect you and everyone around you. Practicing emotional intelligence can help you thrive through times that continue to strain many people emotionally, physically and mentally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more tips on working remotely, check out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n