KEEP CALM AND EPI ON: Emotional Intelligence and Epidemiology

You’ve probably heard about emotional intelligence (EQ). Google tells us that EQ is,  “the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically”. But what does that mean in the workplace, and how do we apply that to careers as epidemiologists? 

Take a look at a recent take on Emotional Intelligence from TheLadders.com, a high-end career development site. How do qualities exhibited by the high-EQ apply to our careers as epidemiologists? 

People with emotional intelligence…

1. Respond rather than react: So often we react and get defensive when faced with an emotionally charged situation or a difficult co-worker or client. In high-EQ people, once they get a handle on the root cause of a negative emotion (what’s pushing their buttons), they typically respond with a more patient, “keep calm” approach. They’ll process a situation about to go south, get perspective, listen with without judgment, and hold back from reacting head on. 
2. Show up with their real selves: A common tendency for people at work is to put on a mask that hides who they truly are when faced with difficult people or situations. An emotionally-intelligent worker or leader shows up with integrity and her best and most authentic self; she’ll face those difficult people and situations with unfettered, emotional honesty and transparency.
3. Think before they speak: There’s a nifty conversational technique called the “six second pause,” used by people with emotional intelligence to gather their thoughts before they speak. Why six seconds? The chemicals of emotion inside our brains and bodies usually last about six seconds. During a heated exchange, if we can pause for a short moment, the flood of chemicals being produced slows down. When you are frustrated or upset, before you say something harsh, this precious pause helps you to quickly assess the costs and benefits of your actions and make more careful choices.
4. Handle tough situations better: Take an unhappy customer or a disgruntled coworker, for example. A high level of EQ in a colleague or manager will show up by staying calm and positive during tough conversations; it also shows up with firmness and boundaries to set limits on people during spiraling disagreements and unhealthy conflict.
5. Practice self-control: Psychologist and best-selling author Daniel Goleman says this about people with self-control:”Reasonable people–the ones who maintain control over their emotions–are the people who can sustain safe, fair environments. In these settings, drama is very low and productivity is very high. Top performers flock to these organizations and are not apt to leave them”.Self-control is a learned skill to help you be more present, calmer, and focused during times of high stress. It’s a necessary emotional skill with long-term payoff.
6. Look at the whole picture: Because they operate with a high degree of self-awareness, they’re able to see both sides of an issue and tap into their feelings and those of others to choose a different, and better, outcome. Quoting Daniel Goleman again, he says this about self-awareness:“If you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.”

Originally published on Inc.com