An EAs job is often one that can be stressful. Interacting and building relationships with a variety of people, while always trying to stay one step ahead of your EA by attempting to read their mind, can run you down and frazzle your mood. Having a high level of emotional intelligence can help you navigate through it all.

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is classified as the ability to perceive and understand yours, and others', emotions. It's knowing how to manage, control and adapt how you are feeling. Picking up the emotional state of the people around you, and being able to empathise, is another part of it. People with a high level of EQ can build strong relationships, negotiate tricky emotional terrain, and are generally easier to work with.

Being emotionally intelligent can help you feel less overwhelmed and stressed.

Why is a high level of emotional intelligence important for an EA?

An EAs job is partially built on the need for emotional intelligence. 

Knowing your Executive better than they know themselves, and being able to manage-up, are all examples of emotional intelligence put to use.

EAs are also required to have a strong level of control over their own emotions. They need to know how to manage their stress levels and remain calm when placed in reactionary scenarios. Building strong networks within the business is another essential part of their position, as well as interacting with people from other companies.

So if your emotional intelligence needs work, what are some of the ways you can improve it?

Increasing your emotional intelligence

Observe how you are feeling and behaving during the day, and the physical reactions that may go along with each emotion.

Figure out if you can find the root of what's caused you to feel this way. Being aware of your moods helps you manage them, and also to temper your reactions by understanding how you may be being influenced by your emotions. 

Take responsibility for both. No one can force you to behave a certain way - you are in control of how you are feeling and the actions you take. This step can be difficult, but by accepting responsibility, you can begin to work on changing what you don't like.

Learn when you are beginning to feel overwhelmed, and practice taking a step back to breathe. A few seconds to reset can allow you to regain control of your reactions. 

Last but not least, when watching other people take time to figure out why they may be feeling the way they are. Empathy is an important part of emotional intelligence. 

As an EA, having a network to reach out to while trying to improve your emotional intelligence can give you the support you need. Find out what works well for other EAs, and learn from those who know the challenges you face.