Importance of Emotional Intelligence for Executive Assistants

As #artificialintelligence develops and programs such as #ChatGPT are developed, #automation, #robotics, and #digitization are invading the role of the Executive Assistant. Virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri can now schedule meetings, set reminders, book appointments etc. by just talking to your phone or speaker. The application of emotional intelligence in these interactions is the differentiating factor that makes a good/exceptional assistant. As a result, #emotionalintelligence is now becoming a critical skill for executive assistants to successfully navigate the rise of automation and robotics in the workplace.

Emotional intelligence is how we handle ourselves and is usually defined as the 4 Dimensions of EI: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management.

An executive assistant who has high emotional intelligence understands these four dimensions and applies these to how they work, representing the executive and the business to showcase the executive and business in the most effective possible way.

Self-Awareness is the ability to understand your own emotions, strengths and weaknesses and know how it affects your peers/colleagues. As an executive assistant who is self-aware, you understand when you are uncomfortable with a specific task or request, you manage your emotions, and you don't react at the moment but take time to assess the situation and decide what to do.

Self-awareness can be improved by asking for constructive feedback from trusted peers/colleagues, thinking back and analyzing how you felt and reacted in a certain situation and what you might do differently the next time a similar situation happens.

As Toni Collette, a famous Australian actress, once said: “The better you know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world.”

Self-Management is the ability to control one’s impulses and upsetting emotions and adapt to the situation. It is common for an executive assistant who is adept at self-management to avoid making impulsive decisions, seldom lose their cool, and usually be accountable.

Self-Management can be improved by identifying what stressful situation provokes what emotion or reaction in you and cautiously replacing negative reactions or emotions with positive ones when similar situations arise. As a result, we can gradually avoid negative emotions and reactions by rewiring our feelings and emotions.

Sukant Ratnakar, a motivational speaker, wrote: “Your thoughts can change your actions and your actions can change your thoughts.”

Social Awareness is the ability to understand how to react or behave in a social interaction.

Listening and observing are the most important elements of social awareness.

An executive assistant with high social awareness reads a room and understands, manages and resolves conflicts. As executive assistants, we are often tasked with relaying messages on behalf of the executive to clients, customers and employees. Social awareness helps us understand the situation and person we are interacting with and present the message in the most effective manner.

This is a crucial skill for personal growth and takes time. Take time to understand how and why someone reacts a certain way to what you do or say. Always look for ways to make interactions effective and pleasant.

Relationship Management is the ability to see things from another’s point of view and have compassion and empathy for them. As an executive assistant, relationship management means showing empathy when helping executives or colleagues. Furthermore, it means being compassionate and supportive in high-pressure situations, and putting yourself in another person's shoes when communicating.

Having understood our own emotions and how we react, learning how another person feels and reacts can be eye-opening. It is important to take the time to understand others' emotions and reactions, as well as how your own emotions and reactions influence them. Doing so can lead to better relationships and better communication, ultimately building a more meaningful connection between all involved.

People with a higher understanding of emotional intelligence are also more adept at recognizing and responding to others' emotions, making them better at #problemsolving and resolving conflicts. They are also better able to build strong relationships and work collaboratively to create successful outcomes.

Co-workers, clients and customers won’t know exactly why, but they will really respect and like your assistant and that would make you appear as a capable, successful #leader.

As a result, an executive assistant with high emotional intelligence can be a tremendous asset to your company, fostering good relationships, providing a cohesive and productive work environment, and ultimately reflecting positively on your own leadership skills.