How we manage our emotions and respond to the emotions of others at work can be just as important as our technical skills and experience. In many workplaces, emotional intelligence plays a key role in communication, teamwork, leadership and conflict resolution.
This is what is known as emotional intelligence. Developing strong emotional intelligence can help you build positive workplace relationships, remain calm under pressure and communicate more effectively with colleagues and clients.

So, what is emotional intelligence and how can you build your skills?

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognise, understand and manage your own emotions. People with strong emotional intelligence are also able to recognise and respond appropriately to the emotions of others.

In the workplace, emotional intelligence can help you manage conflict, remain calm under pressure and build stronger relationships with colleagues, clients and managers. It can also improve communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Emotionally intelligent workers are often open to feedback, adaptable to change and willing to acknowledge and improve upon their weaknesses.

How to improve your emotional intelligence at work

It’s important to listen carefully to what others have to say at work. Active listening helps you better understand what people are expressing both verbally and non-verbally. It also demonstrates respect and can help build stronger workplace relationships.

When speaking with colleagues, try to avoid interrupting, maintain eye contact and ask follow-up questions where appropriate. This can help reduce misunderstandings and improve communication within the workplace.

Seek feedback from others

Seek regular feedback from those around you in the workplace including your colleagues and boss. Let them know you are working on becoming more emotionally aware and consider asking questions like:

• “When we disagree, do you feel heard and respected in the conversation?”
• “Have you seen areas where I could improve my communication?”
• “Do you feel I give space for everyone’s voice to be heard in team discussions?”

Practice self-reflection

Make a habit of reflecting on your thoughts and emotions. Becoming more aware of your feelings can help you better understand how they may affect your behaviour and interactions with others in the workplace.

At the end of each day, consider taking a few moments to reflect on how you responded to different situations and conversations. You may even find it helpful to write down how you were feeling and whether your emotions influenced your communication or decision-making.

As you continue to build emotional intelligence, you may become more aware of both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you.

Developing emotional intelligence can take time, but strengthening these skills can have a significant impact on both your workplace relationships and long-term career success. Employers increasingly value candidates who can communicate effectively, remain calm under pressure, adapt to change and work collaboratively with others. Strong emotional intelligence can also help you navigate difficult conversations, resolve workplace conflicts and build trust with colleagues and managers.

Importantly, emotional intelligence is not just valuable once you secure a role. It can also help you throughout the job application process. Demonstrating qualities such as self-awareness, communication skills, adaptability and professionalism in your resume, cover letter and interviews can help you stand out to employers in a competitive job market.

Are you looking for a new career? Melbourne Resume Writers can help. We are pleased to offer various services including our resume writing service and LinkedIn profile writing service.

Article References

Seek (17 May 2025) ‘Emotional intelligence at work: Examples and tips’, Seek, accessed 18 May 2026.