Creating a Positive Work Environment with Soft Skills

People will not stay where they are unappreciated. Low respect ends in high turnover. Emotional intelligence isn't just a 'soft skill.' It's your competitive advantage. Here are 6 ways to lead with it👇 1) Self-Awareness ↳ Set a 2-minute timer to name 3 emotions you felt today ↳ Ask a peer: “How do I show up under pressure?” 2) Self-Regulation ↳ Pause 6 seconds before reacting when triggered ↳ Say: “I’m noticing I feel...” to respond with intention 3) Motivation ↳ Remind your team why the work matters ↳ Celebrate progress, not just outcomes 4) Empathy ↳ Ask: “How’s this affecting you?” and actually listen ↳ Mirror back emotions: “It sounds like you’re feeling...” 5) Social Skills ↳ Start meetings with: “In one word, how are you?” ↳ End with: “What support would help you next?” 6) EQ in Action ↳ Team tension? Acknowledge both sides, name the issue. ↳ Change pushback? Validate issues, co-create next steps. Too many leaders mistake kindness for weakness. But the best leaders know: Empathy drives results. Which EQ habit are you strengthening this week? ♻️ Repost to help more managers lead with clarity—not control. And follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

People with high EQ earn up to $29K more per year. Why? Because emotional intelligence drives trust, leadership, and results. Technical skills might land you the job. Emotional intelligence gets you promoted. Most people think strong performance is enough. But here’s the truth: Promotions and raises don’t just go to the most skilled. They go to those who: ✅ Navigate conflict with calm ✅ Communicate clearly under pressure ✅ Make others feel seen and supported That’s emotional intelligence. And it’s one of the most overlooked leadership skills. What does EQ look like at work? 8 powerful ways to show it: 1/ Make space for emotions (even if you disagree). Validating emotions builds connection and trust. ➟ “I can see how that would be frustrating.” 2/ Set boundaries without apologizing. Clear limits show self-respect and strength. ➟ “I’m at capacity. Let’s find a better time to discuss.” 3/ Stay calm when others get defensive. Your steadiness helps de-escalate tension. ➟ “Let’s slow down and take one step at a time.” 4/ Admit when you’re wrong and adjust quickly. Owning mistakes builds trust and momentum. ➟ “That’s a good point. Let’s rethink this.” 5/ Pause to reset before emotions take over. A short pause prevents long-term damage. ➟ “I need a moment to clear my head. I’ll be back.” 6/ Express disagreement without creating conflict. Disagreeing respectfully keeps dialogue productive. ➟ “Here’s how I’m thinking about it…” 7/ Give feedback that helps people grow. Clarity with kindness inspires improvement. ➟ “Here’s what worked. One thing to try next…” 8/ Choose connection when it’s easier to shut down. Staying present shows maturity and care. ➟ “Let’s talk when you’re ready. I want to help.” These aren't “soft skills.” They’re the hardest (and most human) skills you’ll ever master. The results speak for themselves: Leaders with high EQ see: • 34% higher team engagement • 20% better productivity • 63% lower turnover But the real ROI? You become the kind of leader people don’t just follow. They fight to work with. Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network. And give me a follow for more posts like this.

I managed teams for 10 years before I learned this important truth: Empathy isn't a "soft skill." It's your most powerful leadership tool. I once had a top performer who was missing deadlines. Instead of asking "Why isn't this done?" I asked "How can I support you?" Turns out, she was dealing with family health issues but was afraid to speak up. That one conversation changed everything. 8 ways I learned to show empathy at work: — Listen without jumping to fix things — Be flexible when life throws curveballs — Make time for non-work conversations — Give praise in public, feedback in private — Create space where no question feels stupid — Support mental health days, not just sick days — Ask how you can help, not why things aren't done — Treat your team like people first, employees second When you lead with empathy, productivity and loyalty naturally follow. You don't have to choose between being human and being successful. The most effective leaders are both. Because at the end of the day, people don't leave bad jobs. They leave environments where they don't feel understood or appreciated. Want to transform your team? Start with empathy. It's the investment that pays the highest returns. ♻️ Agree? Repost to spread the message. Thanks! 📌 Follow Justin Wright for more on emotional intelligence. Want my 99 best cheat sheets? Get them free: BrillianceBrief.com

Employees stay in unhealthy and toxic organizations longer than they should when: -They think leaving will negatively affect their career -They’re already familiar with this type of relationship -They can’t recognize that they’ve become accustomed to the abuse -They feel they can’t afford to due to financial reasons Retention shouldn’t be measured by presenteeism, where employees physically show up but can’t perform their duties due to illness, injury, and adverse health effects of various aggressions and poor behavior. You want to create a workplace where employees want to stay and thrive, not just stay and emotionally die. Here are four ways you can create a healthier workplace: 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬/𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Well-being should be a priority by considering employees' physical, financial, mental, and emotional well-being. In creating an inclusive workplace, address behavior, policies, and procedures that can make the work difficult for systemically marginalized employees. 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (EQ) - Elevate the emotional intelligence of both leaders and staff. High EQ fosters collaboration, effective communication and conflict managment. Emotionally intelligent leaders and teams are self-aware, socially and culturally aware, and receive feedback well. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 - Emotional intelligence leverages a psychologically safe culture and promotes belonging. When employees feel safe to show up as their genuine, authentic selves without negative consequences and their vulnerability (with healthy boundaries) rewarded, they are more apt to collaborate, challenge, and contribute. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 - Have leaders model self-care by normalizing taking time off and disconnecting from work. A culture that understands rest is productive decreases burnout and increases productivity and work-life alignment. By modeling these four competencies, your workplace has a better chance of working W.E.L.L. To learn more about the W.E.L.L. Method® and implementing it in your workplace, send me a DM or visit our website. Link in comments. What are some other reasons people stay at toxic workplaces? #wellbeing #emotionalintelligence #psychologicalSafety #selfcare