The commonly used definition of EQ (or Emotional Intelligence Quotient) is ‘the ability, capacity, skill or a self-perceived ability to identify, assess, and manage the emotions of one’s self, of others, and of groups.’

It might sound like it has nothing to do with the workplace. However, when you fully realize the concept, you will see it is an exhilarating and vibrant dimension of Organizational Behavior and communication. EQ, at its basest form, is empathy. Walking in someone else’s shoes, relating to them, and helping them work through their problems to become more productive. This empathetic process will help you to form important work relationships. Many people want to work on their EQ skills in order to improve their personal relationships. However, we employ it here in a way that can help you relate better at work and at home.

When there’s a lack of communication in the workplace, we begin to assume that everyone’s actions are founded in bad intentions. That, since everyone is out for themselves and their year-end bonuses, the workplace must be every man for himself. We must sacrifice everyone else to get ahead. If you have an organization of 100 people, and each is going out for their best interest, the direction of the company is split in 100 different ways, and mistrust is bred again and again.

In order to enact W. Edwards Deming’s 14 points of management, we must realign our minds to be more positive. We must redirect them to “assume positive intent” throughout all of our workplace communications. At Bama, we train all employees in an extensive 3 day course of EQ. Dusty Staub, CEO of Staub Leadership, and author of “The 7 Acts of Courage” and “The Heart of Leadership,” has structured our EQ training to include ways to identify with with and be understanding towards your teammates, instead of acting passive-aggressively towards them.

Some of the tools in the EQ toolbox that are the easiest to put into practice are: Seek to Understand; Many times people aren’t aware that their actions can be perceived many different ways, or that their words and jokes can hurt people. Seek to understand why they may be acting this way. Maybe something negative is going on in their life, or maybe they feel stressed. It is most likely that your colleague never intended to upset you.

Courageous Conversations; criticism is hard to give and to receive, this is because most people are non-confrontational. Avoiding confrontation in the workplace will cause an issue to bubble under the surface until it blows up. At the very least this can lead to passive-aggressive behaviors. In EQ training we teach employees to confront the problem as soon as it arises in a polite, unassuming way–they should be seeking to understand the cause of the error.

Trust; Trust is a hot-button issue in our businesses today, mostly because there is very little of it. It is the hardest thing to do for most people. Trust can really solidify a team, and innovation abounds among employees who feel trusted to do the right thing. Trusting people can make or break an organization.

Many large companies are employing some of the same techniques, such as McDonald’s “Three Legged Stool” Philosophy, or Google’s new mission to bring mindfulness to its employees.

In order to change the way business is done, and truly find the soul of business we must employ EQ. EQ is the most comprehensive way to train employees to respect each other, and to have the same goal in mind: advancing your organization.

Learn more about Finding the Soul of Big Business. Stop by Paula Marshall’s site where you can find out all about Soulful Management and what it can do for you.