Emotional intelligence: the key to graduate career success

Emotional intelligence makes a crucial contribution to a manager’s business success, according to recent research from the EM Lyon business school. Professor Christophe Haag, who has carried out a long-term study on the subject using 40 CEOs from top companies, found that leaders who were able to use emotion effectively were well placed to gain support from their audience.

But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and how can you develop yours? Definitions vary, but broadly speaking, it is a combination of attributes such as self-awareness, self-control, personal motivation and empathy. These qualities enable people to manage their own emotions and to be aware of what others might be feeling, which makes it possible for them to communicate in the manner most likely to achieve the desired result.

Professor Haag says that although emotional intelligence is to some extent a natural gift, it is also a skill that can be measured, just like IQ, and developed through training. He explains, ‘Emotionally intelligent and empathetic CEOs are more sociable and approachable than leaders who are emotionally distant.’

However, there can be a place for negative emotions too, according to Professor Haag. ‘Anger, fear and stress can actually be useful. A manager might exploit a fear-inspiring scenario to obtain greater concessions during negotiation.’

You can demonstrate your emotional intelligence to recruiters by communicating effectively during graduate interviews and group exercises at assessment centres. When you enter an interview, smile, and show your enthusiasm, you’re taking an emotionally intelligent approach to job-hunting, by communicating with your interviewers in a way that is likely to bring about the outcome you want, and persuade them to give you a graduate job.

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Image: porah, sxc.hu

Posted by Alison_TARGETjobs on 2 November 2010

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