Last updated on Jun 6, 2024

Here's how you can make better decisions in the face of change using emotional intelligence.

Change is inevitable in both personal and professional landscapes, and how you manage it can significantly impact your success. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a powerful tool that can help you navigate the complexities of change. EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By leveraging EI, you can make more rational, empathetic decisions that lead to better outcomes during periods of change.

1 Understand EI

Emotional Intelligence is a multifaceted skill that encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Understanding your own emotions is the first step in EI, which allows you to assess how your feelings can influence your decisions. Recognizing the emotional responses change can provoke helps you to manage them effectively. This self-awareness is crucial when making decisions, as it enables you to remain objective and considerate of the broader impact of your choices.

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2 Assess Impact

Before making a decision amidst change, consider the emotional impact it will have on those affected. Empathy, a core component of EI, enables you to understand and share the feelings of others. By anticipating how your decision might resonate emotionally with your team or stakeholders, you can address concerns proactively and foster a more supportive environment for change. This can lead to more inclusive decision-making and improved team dynamics.

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3 Manage Stress

Change often brings stress, and managing this stress is essential for sound decision-making. Emotional intelligence involves recognizing stress signals within yourself and employing techniques to remain calm and collected. Whether it's through deep breathing, taking a walk, or discussing concerns with a confidant, finding ways to alleviate stress can clear your mind and lead to more thoughtful decisions that are not clouded by anxiety or pressure.

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Simone L. dos Reis l Prosci® l HCMBOK® l DHO

Change Management | T&D | Cultura | Recursos Humanos | Happiness Office | Digital Transformation | Diversidade
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Mudanças geram stress, independente do cenário. É uma questão majoritariamente biológica. Portanto use o stress a seu favor. Encare o stress como uma forma de se auto desenvolver. É a oportunidade de você trabalhar sua anti-fragilidade, ou seja, consiste em uma característica pela qual as adversidades não são superadas pela reação, mas pela aceitação. Nesse caso, aceitar não significa permanecer resignado perante um problema, mas entender o contexto em torno de um imprevisto e aprender com isso. Dito isso, foque em se manter centrado, busque suporte emocional em processo terapêutico, e formas de se auto regular com velocidade. Busque se manter produtivo em meio a desordem por meio de mecanismos de auto regulação.

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4 Seek Feedback

Engaging with others and seeking feedback is another way to use EI in decision-making. Social skills, an element of EI, involve effective communication and the ability to listen actively. By soliciting diverse perspectives, you can gain insights that might not have been apparent from your vantage point. This collaborative approach not only broadens your understanding but also helps build trust and buy-in for the decisions you make.

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5 Reflect Regularly

Regular reflection is an important habit for enhancing your EI in the context of change management. Take time to reflect on past decisions, considering both the outcomes and the emotional journey. What worked well? What could have been handled better? Reflection helps you learn from experience and improve your decision-making process. It also reinforces self-awareness and helps you to develop a more nuanced understanding of how emotions play into change.

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Sai Swadesh Nayak

Strategy and Change @ Accenture
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Making better decisions in the face of change using emotional intelligence requires regular reflection. Begin by cultivating self-awareness to recognize your emotions and how they influence your decision-making process. Reflect on past decisions and their outcomes, considering the role emotions played in the process. Practice empathy to understand the perspectives and emotions of others involved in the change. Develop emotional regulation skills to manage stress and maintain clarity of thought during uncertain times. By regularly reflecting on your emotions and their impact on decision-making, you can enhance your ability to navigate change with resilience and make informed, balanced choices that align with your long-term goals.

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6 Adapt Proactively

Lastly, being proactive about adapting your approach is vital. Change is constant, and what worked yesterday may not be effective today. Emotional intelligence gives you the agility to adjust your strategies based on the current emotional climate and the unique challenges at hand. By staying attuned to the evolving needs and sentiments of those involved, you can make more informed, empathetic decisions that facilitate smoother transitions during change.

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Dr. Christina S S Ooi

🎖6 x LinkedIn Top Voice Badges🎖| Board Aspirant | Former CPO | Speaker | Mentor | Published Author |
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When you are in a change environment, you need to arm yourself with a few good practices to help you thrive successfully day in day out. 1. Have a GROWTH MINDSET. Not everything will go your way. Your well thought best laid plans may go awry in the face of change. But that's ok. Think positive. 2. BE MENTALLY AGILE. Learn to switch your thought process accordingly. Sometimes you must go with the flow instead of being insistent on some things. Learn to think differently. 3. BE FLEXIBLE. You need to bend with the wind. Like what Confucius said, "The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it." 4. PRACTISE SELF-AWARENESS. This is when you know how you can or cannot adapt to the change. Then you will adapt & adjust accordingly.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can make better decisions in the face of change using emotional intelligence.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand EI

2 Assess Impact

3 Manage Stress

4 Seek Feedback

5 Reflect Regularly

6 Adapt Proactively

7 Here’s what else to consider

Change Management

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Here's how you can make better decisions in the face of change using emotional intelligence.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand EI

2 Assess Impact

3 Manage Stress

4 Seek Feedback

5 Reflect Regularly

6 Adapt Proactively

7 Here’s what else to consider

Change Management

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