Emotional Intelligence is the ability to be aware of your own emotions and those of others, in the moment, and to use that information to manage ourselves and manage your relationships.
Emotions are present in everything we do. The veterinary profession is an emotional minefield.
No matter how much you think you can be rational and logical in your workplace, you are continuously exposed to emotional situations.
Clients are looking for empathy, compassion and understanding, especially in times of distress. Most clients are stressed and anxious. While it is important to be in control of your response, clients don’t want to deal with veterinarians who they perceive as cold and uncaring.
Developing your social and emotional intelligence is becoming proactive rather than reactive with your emotions.
The advantages of developing your emotional intelligence (EI) are:
- improved communication
- better empathy
- improved relationships
- reduced stress
- increased self-awareness
- better self management
- improved leadership skills
Having a high IQ doesn’t guarantee high EQ skills.
A lack of EQ is what makes smart people dumb!
The following short video explains emotional intelligence:
To succeed in your career, you must develop your EI skills. With the oversupply of veterinarians and increased competition for employment, you need to distinguish yourself.
Having strong EI skills is a valuable asset in veterinary practice.
As a Social + Emotional Intelligence Certified Coach, I have access to a profile which assesses your strengths and areas to be developed. As part of the coaching package, I will work individually with you to improve your skills and provide the appropriate exercises to build your skills.
For more information on building your EI skills, view the Emotional Intelligence Coaching page.
