How is Technology Effecting Emotional Intelligence?

In 2012, the average number of corporate emails sent and received per person per day was 110¹, with over 90% of those emails being legitimate communications. That’s over 2,000 emails every month. Add to that a whopping 9,000² text messages being sent and received each month by adults in the US, and you’ve got to wonder how these thousands of electronic messages are affecting our emotional intelligence.

But wait — the advent of communication tools such as smartphones, tablets and instant messaging was supposed to make it easier for us to connect, share and communicate, right? Yes, perhaps it’s easier for us, but unfortunately e-communications such as text messaging, instant messaging and even email have contributed to a decline in the quality of communication in the workplace.

The dimensions measured in an emotional intelligence assessment include Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy and Social Skills — all of which are important for improving communication. In the case of the EQ assessment Vantage offers, well-developed Social Skills refer to a proficiency in managing relationships and building networks. Some of the specific skills that fall under Social Skills proficiency include the following:

• Wielding effective tactics for persuasion
• Listening openly and sending convincing messages
• Negotiating and dissolving disagreements
• Inspiring and guiding individuals and groups
• Initiating or managing change
• Nurturing instrumental relationships for building bonds
• Working with others toward shared goals
• Creating group synergy in pursuing collective goals

Is it possible for our workforce to develop these skills in such e-heavy environments? Digital communication in the workplace isn’t going anywhere, so we must work to maintain and develop our EQ. Emotional Intelligence workshops can help teams better understand themselves and their co-workers. Leaders who make a point to pick up the phone or walk into a colleague’s office will set an example for staff to limit digital messaging to simple, non-emotional issues. A simple awareness that our emotional intelligence is affected by our reliance on digital communication is a first step in improving the 21st century workplace.

To learn more about how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) assessment and training can affect the workplace, contact the Vantage Group for more information at 616-676-3330 or email us at info@vantagegroupinc.com.

¹The Radicati Group, Inc.
²Experion

Skills Telecommuters need for their 21st Century Work Environment

Today about one in five workers around the globe telecommutes frequently, and nearly 10% work from home every day (Ipsos/Reuters). Most telecommuter employees will say that their ability to telecommute provides them with greater job satisfaction, improves their work-life balance and reduces their expenses. According to Mobile Work Exchange, nearly three out of four employees reported increased productivity while teleworking. Meanwhile, two out of three will give preference to positions that offer telework and 16% will not even consider jobs without telework.  

But it’s not just employees who are reaping the benefits of telecommuting. Organizations that foster telecommuting workplaces are seeing increases in productivity and reduction in real estate costs, as well as reduced absenteeism and turnover. Global Workplace Analytics projects that United States businesses alone could save over $500 billion a year, which equates to roughly $11,000 per employee per year, and additional savings could come from utilities, janitorial services, security, maintenance, paper goods, coffee and water service, leased parking spaces, transit subsidies, ADA compliance, environmental penalties, equipment, furniture, and office supplies.

Yes, there are potentially huge cost savings for businesses and improved morale for staff, not to mention the thousands of tons of pollutants spared, but before managers start approving telecommuting requests from staff, it’s important to consider some of the competencies, or soft skills, that might be required for a 21^st century career perk like telecommuting:

• Self-Management. Does the employee demonstrate self-control and an ability to manage time and priorities?
• Planning and Organizing. Does the employee utilize logical, systematic and orderly procedures to meet objectives, regardless of the environment?
• Interpersonal Skills. Can the employee effectively communicate, build rapport and relate well to all kinds of people in a variety of settings?

Thinking about some of the competencies you might want a potential telecommuter to have, how does this impact your decision to hire? What if even before hiring your next employee, you could understand which competencies he or she has well developed, and which competencies require further development throughout his or her career? Our job benchmarking process effectively matches the right candidate to the right job, however unique the job’s circumstances might be.

To learn more about implementing job benchmarking in your company, call 616-676-3330, or email us at info@vantagegroupinc.com