In the past few years, you’ve probably heard a lot about emotional intelligence (EI) or emotional quotient (EQ). For a while it was the buzziest new business term. It refers to the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. Basically, it is having emotional awareness and the ability to harness emotions and apply them to things like problem-solving or calming down or cheering up others.

So, does it still matter?

I’d say it’s more important than ever. And it will be more and more relevant in the years to come.

Here’s why: In our increasingly tech-driven work lives (and non-work lives!), we are constantly communicating via screens and conducting entire careers with people we’ve never met. Human interaction is occurring less and less. We are out of practice picking up on the visual cues, non-verbal behaviors and body language that help us communicate clearly and interpret the emotions of the people around us.

So the importance of emotional intelligence is real. Imagine team leaders and colleagues who have the self-awareness to understand how their current mood affects their decision-making? Teammates who are able to pause before they speak or act? Leaders who are more authentic and know how to demonstrate empathy to others?

The best way that I have found to create EQ awareness is through the use of an assessment tool. I prefer to use several different tools including Everything DiSC® from Wiley. This tool is simple to understand and people very quickly “get it.” DISC provides unbiased language for people to talk about their own strengths and weaknesses and understand people’s behavioral differences. It also helps leaders and teams develop practical communication strategies that build stronger levels of trust. By discovering how to meet each other’s communication needs as well as understanding personal stressors and motivators, DISC is truly one of the best tools to start building EQ with your leaders and teams.

If you are interested in getting DiSC® certified for your organization, join us on September 28-29 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in beautiful downtown Boulder. Attendees of the 2-day event will earn the credential of Certified Everything DiSC® Workplace Facilitator from Wiley. For more information, visit our Everything DiSC Certification Online Workshops registration page.