Are you exhausted from feeling like you can’t connect with people? Feeling like you’re always misunderstood? It might be time to start utilizing your emotional intelligence (EQ) as a tool. EQ allows us to understand and control our emotions, making it easier to connect with others on a deeper level.

Moreover, people with high EQ are more successful in their careers and relationships. So, to boost your connections, start by working on your emotional intelligence. Here are useful tips for you to get started.

How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Boost Connections

Emotional intelligence can help you boost your connections in various ways; some of which are as follows:

Learn to recognize your emotions

The first step to using your emotional intelligence is being aware of your emotions. You can’t control or manage your emotions if you’re not aware of them in the first place. Start by observing yourself and noting how you feel in different situations. This will help you develop a better understanding of your emotions which will, in turn, be beneficial when you’re communicating with someone. This skill will make you aware of what you’re feeling and the emotions of others, allowing you to respond more compassionately.

For example, if someone asks you something and you know how you feel about it and how you would want someone to respond. This enables you to respond to the person in a way that would be most beneficial for them and the situation. In other words, you’re able to see the other person’s perspective and respond accordingly.

Shift the approach from ‘ME’ to ‘WE’

In order to boost your connections, you must start thinking about things from a group perspective instead of just focusing on yourself. When you’re only focused on your own needs and wants, it’s difficult to build strong relationships with others. Instead, try looking at things from the other person’s point of view and think about how your actions will affect them. This way, you’ll be able to connect with others on a deeper level and build more meaningful relationships.

Communicate effectively

In order to connect with others, it’s essential to communicate effectively. This means being able to express your thoughts and feelings in a clear and concise way. It also involves active listening, which is being present and attentive when someone else is speaking. When you’re able to communicate effectively, it’ll be easier for you to understand and connect with others. Moreover, efficient communication also involves being able to understand nonverbal cues. This includes things like body language and tone of voice.

By understanding these nonverbal cues, you’ll better understand how someone is feeling and what they’re trying to communicate. Therefore, you’ll become a person with whom people can feel a connection. This can be helpful if you work in a coworking space. To successfully run a business from a coworking space, you’ll need a few connections. So, if you can complete stage one, i.e., communicate effectively, the road to making strong relationships will become smoother.

Learn to keep others’ needs ahead of yours

One of the most important things to remember when using your emotional intelligence is to keep others’ needs ahead of your own. This doesn’t mean that you should always put others before yourself. However, it’s essential to be aware of how your actions will affect others and be considerate of their feelings. When you’re able to do this, it’ll be easier for you to connect with others.

Furthermore, by keeping others’ needs in mind, you’re more likely to build trust and respect. These are two essential ingredients for strong and meaningful relationships. Therefore, if you want to boost your connections, start by keeping others’ needs ahead of your own (whenever possible).

Empathy towards others

If you want to be an extraordinary connector, it is important for you to have empathy for others. Only when you can feel what the other person is going through can you provide them with the solution or advice they are seeking. So, along with keeping others’ needs in mind, try to develop some empathy towards others and see how it helps you become a great connector.

For instance, you are considering expanding your business but don’t know much about managing people or finances. So, you take help from a coworking buddy who is in the same boat as you. You both will empathize with each other and understand what the other one is going through. This way, you can connect deeper and build a strong relationship. 

Conclusion

To connect with others, we must be in tune with our own emotions and the emotions of those around us. By understanding how emotional intelligence works, we can use it as a tool to boost our connections. We hope that these tips will help strengthen your relationships both professionally and personally.