Tom Peters and Nancy Austin, authors of A Passion for Excellence, state that “The number one managerial productivity problem in America is quite simple: managers are out of touch with their people.”

Big Question: Are you in touch with people? Are you more concerned with symptoms, procedures, and profits?

For the last two years, I’ve worked with a large organization and their managers. We had one primary goal: to increase team morale by increasing human connections.

This was the roadmap– seven ways to increase managers’ emotional intelligence with their people:
1. Build team members’ confidence by focusing on their strengths.
2. Point out recent wins and victories to create more momentum and confidence.
3. Show them what a better tomorrow looks like and build hope for the future.
4. Listen first in “one-on-one” conversations and meetings.
5. Show concern for challenges and pressures; display and increase empathy.
6. Recharge people’s emotional batteries with encouraging words and positive emotions.
7. Connect every day with appreciation. Life is too short to treat people like machines– treat them as human beings and appreciate them.

True story: As the managers focus on these seven, employee scores rose between an average of 30-40%. Productivity rose by 20% and internal grievances decreased by 15%.

Focus on at least two of these emotional intelligence practices. Watch and observe how others respond to you and how their productivity increase.

Here’s to your emotionally intelligent leadership,

-Steve