We all know that the emotional tone for any organization starts at the top and this is true in construction management. Highly skilled professionals in this field are often lacking the skills needed to manage effectively and allow their hard hat to set the tone. As a tool, the function of the hard hat is to protect and provide safety while on the job, and that is all. However, while on the job, if upper management arrives with a “hardhat” mentality, barking orders or yelling at the crew out of frustration, the stress levels will increase and the potential for errors increases. Why is that? Because the higher the stress, the higher the potential for the amygdala hijack to occur. When this happens, one cannot access the logical reasoning function part of the brain that interferes with arriving at the best decisions.
Construction management is a complex profession and can often be very stressful. The interface between all the players and coordinating the crews and subcontractors eventually filter down to pleasing the customer. In the background of all of this is the drive to meet the budget. Unforeseen setbacks and complications raise the stress levels and more than ever, upper management in this field need to strengthen and have on hand skills and tools to not only manage their stress levels but also need to develop a high level of interpersonal skills.
Having emotional self- awareness is the first step in metaphorically removing the hard hat from your management style. Knowing your emotional state can then help with managing your emotions. By managing your emotions, you can potentially lower the stress levels for yourself and results in lower stress levels for all those on the job. Maintaining this self-awareness and managing your emotions makes you more approachable when problems arise. The end result is the ability to approach setbacks and problems from a place of stability and strength where better decisions can be made.
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There are 15 competencies that can be learned and developed to increase emotional intelligence and they are all interrelated. By strengthening one or two areas, one can then increase other areas. The three competencies already mentioned are:
emotional self-awareness
emotional expression
stress tolerance
How does one develop and strengthen these areas to improve one’s management style that can increase productivity?
Do you have weak interpersonal skills?
Do you find that you often receive the same comments in a performance review?
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Everyone has a career-limiting issue that can be addressed. One of the ways I uncover the limiting concern is I always have my clients take the emotional intelligence assessment, the EQi – 2.0. This assessment can expose those areas concretely. When we go over the results, the bar graph illuminates areas of strength and what needs strengthening. From this initial meeting, we create a plan to develop the skills and tools that are lacking. By strengthening areas that are weak, one has increased their set of tools for managing at their best and can remove the hard hat method of managing which is crucial for overall success.
Emotional intelligence is a vital component and is critical for success for an organization. Increased emotional intelligence brings added value and the benefits are numerous.
Does your organization want to:
- Increase revenues?
- Increase role performance?
- Increase leadership effectiveness?
- Improve teamwork and collaboration?
- Improve employee retention?
- Improve leadership potential?
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, emotional intelligence will be one of the top 10 job skills in 2020.
Does your organization have this skill?
Does your organization have a plan to develop this skill?
Find out today by taking advantage of my complimentary webinar that I offer organizations and learn where your strengths are and what needs strengthening. Everyone can learn the skills that are lacking. Through my powerful coaching sessions, everyone can surmount limitations. And remember, Success Starts With You.
Very well said, Dr. Melinda, Congratulations! The hard hat is supposed to protect the soft, thinking brains. Hard heads do not need any hats.
You are absolutely right about emotional intelligence. No wonder modern-day management studies have started giving higher weight to adding this particular facet to a prospective manager’s portfolio of skills.
Thank You!
Thank you, Bharat. I appreciate your humorous comment, “Hard heads do not need any hats.” Upper management needs to develop the soft skills to improve engagement, retention, and respect. Otherwise, the organization drives away good talent. Your insights are always fruitful.