Emotional Intelligence

No matter what company anyone works for, emotions will always factor into the workplace. “Emotions create a stats of readiness...They make us aware of events that may affect our survival and well-being. Some emotions are particularly strong triggers that demand our attention, interrupt our train of thought, and generate the motivation to act on the environment,” (McShane & Von Glinow, 2005, p.111).

Blockbuster had a good idea with their GameRush stores as their were implementing a form of FISH!. McShane and Von Glinow define FISH! as: play, make their day, be there and choose your attitude. By having tournaments and having their employees wear “hip” attire, Blockbuster gave employees the opportunity to have fun with video games, interact with customers, and come to work with a can-do attitude.

Healthy emotional intelligence among employees can prepare them better for the unexpected at work like sudden layoffs, mergers or changes within the company. EI requires people to have “the ability to perceive and express emotion, assimilate emotion in thought, understand and reason with emotion, and regulate emotion in oneself and others,” (McShane & Von Glinow, 2005, p. 131). With several companies as well as with Global Communication EI was not present in the executives meetings and was limited in the meeting with the union. The ability to regulate emotions within meetings is something most executives should strive for. According to McShance and Von Glinow one must master relationship management which is the highest level of EI and requires proficiency in the other 3 dimensions of EI, self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management.

Reference

McShane, S. L., & Von Glinow, M. (2005). Organizational behavior: Emerging realities for the workplace revolution. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies