We all have had to work with a reckless colleague who utters such stupid things without giving the slightest thought to their implications. That’s because he does not understand the tension in the conference room. Or maybe we have all had to work with a clueless boss who insists his idea is marvelous, while everyone agrees that it is disastrous.
If your work environment is outweighed by disregard for the feelings of others, then welcome to the terrible world of business. 94% of people that were surveyed by the authors of Managing Toxic Personalities and Their Systems of Power say they have worked with a toxic fellow worker.
They also reported that the behaviors that put them off were not necessarily as definite as bullying or harassment; Rather, they were actions, such as harboring grudges or sabotaging the team, among other behaviors that caused the tension.
The CEO who makes fun of you perhaps is not insensitive. He may lack emotional intelligence (EQ), which is known as the ability to read and respond appropriately to social cues around you.
People with higher emotional intelligence have greater self-awareness, better control over their emotions, and the ability to motivate themselves. In addition, they show greater empathy for others, which benefits them in areas such as conflict resolution and team building.
But remember that high emotional intelligence does not necessarily mean that you are infallible, as Drake Baer of Fast Company notes. It is more about whether you can read your environment and react accordingly.
However, people with high emotional intelligence are more likely to succeed in their jobs. As for those afflicted by colleagues who lack emotional intelligence, May God help them.
So, to deal with your emotionally unintelligent bosses and colleagues who have no idea what’s going on, follow these tips for enhancing communication:
People often criticize coworkers with low emotional intelligence, but do not blame them for their lack of these skills.
Speaking to the Fast Company website, the psychologist Sigal Barsade says: "Emotions are information. In essence, people who are low in [emotional intelligence] are lacking the ability to take in, understand, or process a really critical part of the way that we communicate in the world. If they can’t read your emotions, they won’t be getting all the info you’re naturally sending themy."
That means saying what you mean without hesitation. In other words, do not resort to sarcasm. The coworkers you are trying to deal with will not understand your sense of humor, and always make sure you give all the details.
Barsade explains that emotionally unintelligent people need to know the missing data or information.
As difficult as it may be, people with low emotional intelligence need feedback, and immediately if possible. Therefore, you should always act calm because they are more likely to imitate this behavior.
If you need to schedule an appointment with your toxic boss for a more sensitive conversation, read these tips above, as you may find them helpful in dealing with provocative behavior in the work environment.
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