Project Team Emotional Intelligence
Demian Entrekin has posted an article titled “What is the IQ of your Project Team“ where he proposes a set of variables that could be used to measure the team’s performance over time. The variables he suggests used are Skills, Ability to Learn, Experience, Speed, Communication, Unity, Curiosity and Openess.
Whereas I like his idea I would like to suggest we expand this concept and device the appropriate means to identify and manage the Project Team’s Emotional Intelligence (also referred to as ‘EQ’). In a nutshell, EQ refers to the capacity of individuals and teams to assess and then manage their emotions. In the context of a project team, the application of EQ will relate to the ability of the project team to identify, assess and then manage its interpersonal interactions. While there is no single definition for EQ, it is commonly accepted that it will include variables like Self Awareness, Social Awareness, Emotional Management, Change Management, and Self Motivation.
The rational behind the proposal to monitor a team’s EQ is based on the documented observation that teams with a higher EQ operate better than teams with an observed lower EQ. A research conducted by Australian researchers concluded that increase in the level of tested EQ resulted in improved decision making capabilities and ultimately an improved team effectiveness.
So, how would you increase your team’s EQ?
There are numerous techniques for improving team’s EQ and they include activities aimed at increasing Trust, Problem Solving, Listening, Appreciation, Solution Focused and others. See, for example, here and here. What ever method you choose to use don’t forget that the future of your project is largely in the hands of your team and as you fulfil your professional obligation to develop your team you really help them help you meet your project objectives.
I call this a win-win solution. Don’t you?
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by shim_marom: quantmleap new blog post: “Project Team Emotional Intelligence (EQ)” – http://quantmleap.com/blog/?p=778 #pmot…
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Yes – there’s no doubt that EQ is a huge factor. I’d like to hear more on this topic from folks who know more about it that I do. I will check out your links – thanks!
Thanks dentrekin. Hope you find what you’re looking for. Please come back here and update the readers with the findings of your investigation. I would start with Wikipedia and then, just to spice things up a bit, would find some of the free EQ tests. You’ll be surprise how much you can learn about yourself from running one of these tests.
Cheers, Shim.
When it comes to trust, listening, problem solving etc it’s obvious that a team dealing better with these will perform better than a team which struggles there. Same with conflicts – less conflicts usually ends up in better performance.
I wouldn’t however put emotional intelligence as another Holy Grail of project management. That’s just yet another aspect of our lives which influences our work (in project management or anywhere else). The better we deal with it as a group the more efficient we become.
Hi Pawel, thanks again for your comments.
You are absolutely right in saying that this whole discussion is plain common sense and that, clearly, a more cohesive team will perform better than a dysfunctional one. My point in discussing this issue was to remind myself that turning a team into a better performing one requires some effort that once expanded could deliver measurable benefits. Obviously it is not, in itself, the only factor that would turn any project around, and like all facets of project management, it is just one of many variables needing attention – so ‘Holy Grail’ – No! but another ‘Important Factor’ – Yes!
Cheers, Shim.
RT @pmstudent: From Shim: Project Team Emotional Intelligence:
Demian Entrekin has posted an article titled &.. http://bit.ly/4YlL9T
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#pmot reply to @pawelbrodzinski on his comment re. 'Emotional Intelligence' (see http://quantmleap.com/blog/?p=778)
thanks for RT @buccaneer2003: Project Team Emotional Intelligence http://bit.ly/7vUOTY
[...] Continue reading here… Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Emotional intelligence is a social lubricant for teamsExploring Collaborative IntelligenceCreating Successful Teams with Emotional Intelligence [...]
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