The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
How to cultivate emotional intelligence and use it to navigate complex projects and relationships.
Aspiring project managers often focus on developing technical skills such as budgeting, scheduling, and risk management. However, success as a project manager requires more than just technical proficiency. Emotional intelligence, or the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions and those of others, is essential for navigating the complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics involved in managing projects. In this blog, we will explore the importance of emotional intelligence for project managers and provide strategies for cultivating this critical skill.
Series
This blog is from a series of the 12 things you MUST master, to be the BEST, Project Manager, I just wish someone wrote them out for me at the start of my career.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Project Management
Project managers must work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including team members, clients, vendors, and senior management. Each stakeholder has their own unique perspectives, needs, and expectations, and it’s the project manager’s job to balance these competing interests while achieving project goals. Emotional intelligence is crucial for this balancing act. Project managers with high emotional intelligence can
Build rapport
By understanding and empathizing with stakeholders’ perspectives, project managers can build trust and rapport, which can lead to more effective communication and collaboration.
Manage conflicts
Conflicts are inevitable in any project. Emotional intelligence helps project managers to de-escalate conflicts and find win-win solutions that satisfy all parties.
Influence and persuade
Project managers often need to influence stakeholders to support the project’s objectives or make difficult decisions. Emotional intelligence enables project managers to understand what motivates different stakeholders and tailor their messaging and approach accordingly.
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is not an innate trait; it can be learned and developed. Here are some strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence:
Practice self-awareness
Project managers should start by understanding their own emotions and how they impact their behavior. Keeping a journal or seeking feedback from colleagues can help project managers to identify their emotional triggers and develop strategies for managing them.
Practice active listening
Active listening involves not just hearing what someone is saying, but also understanding the emotions and motivations behind their words. Project managers can improve their active listening skills by focusing on the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and summarizing what they’ve heard.
Seek diverse perspectives
Project managers should actively seek out diverse perspectives and opinions, even if they challenge their own assumptions. This can help project managers to broaden their understanding of stakeholders’ needs and perspectives.
Practice empathy
Empathy involves putting oneself in another’s shoes and understanding their emotions and perspectives. Project managers can practice empathy by actively seeking to understand others’ perspectives, validating their feelings, and expressing concern for their well-being.
Practice conflict resolution
Conflict resolution involves finding win-win-win solutions that satisfy all parties. Project managers can practice conflict resolution by listening actively to all parties, focusing on interests rather than positions, and brainstorming creative solutions.
Key Takeaways
Emotional intelligence is an essential skill for project managers. By understanding and managing their own emotions and those of others, project managers can build trust and rapport, manage conflicts effectively, and influence and persuade stakeholders. Cultivating emotional intelligence requires practice and self-awareness, but the payoff is more effective project management and stronger relationships with stakeholders.
Thought Leaders
here are some thinkers and their works that you can reference in your blog on the importance of emotional intelligence for project managers:
- Daniel Goleman – “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” (book) and “What Makes a Leader?” (article in Harvard Business Review)
- Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves – “Emotional Intelligence 2.0”
- Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee – “Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence” (book)
- David Caruso and Peter Salovey – “The Emotionally Intelligent Manager” (article in Harvard Business Review)
Proof in the eating
Several years ago, the Project Management Institute (PMI) conducted several studies that show the importance of emotional intelligence in project management, one study found that project managers with high emotional intelligence were significantly more likely to lead successful projects.
