So what’s your social intelligence score?

Poonamjot Sidhu

Perceptions about business and how it is done have changed tremendously over the past 30 years. Recruiters now look at various other traits in a candidate in addition to professional qualification and skill. A lot of leaders believe in the importance of organisation culture, which when conducive, results in better customer service and organisational performance. 

Thus, along with intelligence quotient, emotional as well as social quotient are equally important for an organisation’s success. Social intelligence is more of a skill that can be mastered and honed by freshers joining the workforce.  Some factors that young employees can take in consideration are:

Monitor your actions and others’ reaction to it Try and make mental notes of how others respond to your way of conduct. Keep a log book and enter any drastic positive and negative reaction to your behaviour. Think of amendments needed in your behaviour, practice these and again record the response. Keep on practicing this until all entries in your log book contain only positive reactions.

Smile more, frown less  This is something you should never forget while responding to queries, to requests and to conversations. Even if the reply is on the negative side, start it with a positive note. Nothing is more constructive than a positive smile. Research has proven smiling to be an immunity booster, hence it is a beneficial practice on all grounds.

Empathize with everybody including customers and colleagues. Try to understand their perspective of the situation and how they feel about it. It will enable you to actually give customers the most optimum solutions for their problems, making them satisfied. In case of co workers or team members, it will enable you to become an effective team player and bring in synergy in the work operations.

Walk away from arguments related both to personal and professional aspects. Arguments often lead to bickering, unpleasantness and resentment. It is always better to avoid such encounters. If somebody is being angry and too shrill about their perspective, it is not necessary for you to respond in a similar manner. Rather a calm reply will work better in such a situation. If unavoidable, leave  and discuss at a later point of time when things are calmer.

Actions speak louder than words Non-verbal communication is equally important and on some occasions, even more effective than verbal response. How you stand, where your hands are, your eye movement, gestures, dressing, conduct, posture etc speaks volumes about what you actually intend. How to use these positively can be learnt. There are organisations and trainers who can train you in positive and effective non-verbal communication.

Be humble in your conduct Do not brag about your achievement or assets. Who need to know will always find out and will respect you more, if it was not you from whom they found out about it. Never start a conversation with “I did this”, if had to be, it should constitute later part of the conversation. 

Practice ethical communication in your conversations, both in letter and spirit. Do not manipulate things or conversations as per your requirement. Good organisations and co-workers will always value their ethical employees more. 

Be attentive to others Conversations should always be shared equally (fifty per cent by each party). Be a good listener and listen to the whole conversation attentively and look attentive as well. People always bring their problems to persons they know will listen. 

Be socially intelligent both online and offline, think before you speak, handle your emotions, have resilience are some other useful practices in becoming socially intelligent. This is one virtue which can be an asset in all professions.