Low Emotional Intelligence: Causes, Signs & Ways to Improve It

Emotional intelligence (EI) is important for creating a healthy workplace culture, fostering strong relationships, and improving communication.

However, not everyone naturally possesses this skill, and if any of your team members struggle with low emotional intelligence, it can lead to miscommunication, conflicts, and decreased morale.

The good news? You can build emotional intelligence in your team with the right approach.

In this blog, we will offer practical solutions to help you and your team enhance EI and create an effective work environment.

TL;DR – Recognising Low EI in the Workplace

Low emotional intelligence can cause a range of workplace challenges. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Poor Communication: Employees with low EI often struggle to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings.
• Lack of Accountability: Blaming others for mistakes is common among individuals with low EI, affecting team dynamics.
• Increased Conflict: Low EI can result in more frequent conflicts, lowering morale and productivity.
• Difficulty in Teamwork: Struggles with collaboration and feedback often arise, making teamwork harder.
• Poor Stress Management: Employees may have trouble managing stress, impacting performance and well-being.

Investing in emotional intelligence training with us will help foster open communication and improve your team’s productivity. Enrol your team today and help them grow in their career!

5 Components of Emotional Intelligence by Goleman

Let’s take a look at them and study some examples of high emotional intelligence versus low emotional intelligence.

#1. Self-awareness

This means understanding your feelings, thoughts and actions.

• High EI: If you’re trying to explain a project to a teammate, but you keep going off on a tangent. You realise you’re getting off-topic so apologise and begin explaining again.
• Low EI: You get annoyed when your coworker doesn’t understand what you’re trying to explain, so you blame them for not being able to keep up.

#2. Self-Regulation

Controlling your feelings, thoughts and actions.

• High EI: A colleague is delayed in getting an urgent contract signed off. You feel let down, but understand that things don’t always go to plan. You calmly reassure the colleague and ask if there’s anything you can do to help.
• Low EI: In the same situation, you get frustrated with your coworker and go straight to upper management to report their inadequacy.

#3. Motivation

This refers to recognising why you feel, think and act the way you do.

• High EI: You have a new idea that you think will benefit your organisation. You put a lot of work into research and analysis, which leads to your idea being approved.
• Low EI: You start to research your idea but realise it will involve a lot of hard work, so you decide to try and pitch it as is, and give up on further research when the idea is rejected.

#4. Empathy

Relating to how other people think and feel.

• High EI: A team member is stressed about giving a presentation next week. You understand how important this is, so you lend them a friendly ear and ask if there’s anything you can do to support them.
• Low EI: You can’t comprehend why this means so much to them and are annoyed that they’re spending so much time worrying about it rather than helping you with your project.

#5. Social skills

Being able to interact with others in a wide variety of situations.

• High EI: If you’re on a team video call with a new co-worker, you can make them feel welcome and comfortable.
• Low EI: On a group call with your new co-worker, you’re distracted and dismissive, making them uncomfortable. You become defensive and confrontational when you’re called out on your inattention.

Studies have shown that high emotional intelligence is a key part of strong leadership – some recruiters will specifically look for potential employees who are emotionally intelligent. But how can you tell whether someone has high or low emotional intelligence?

What Causes Low Emotional Intelligence?

Low emotional intelligence (EI) can stem from various factors that affect how individuals understand and manage emotions. 

Here are some key causes of low El in the workplace:

• Lack of Awareness: Individuals may not be aware of their own emotions or how those feelings influence their behaviour. This lack of self-awareness in emotional intelligence can lead to misunderstandings in social situations.
• Poor Socialisation: Early experiences in social environments, such as family dynamics or peer interactions, can impact the development of emotional skills. A lack of supportive relationships may hinder emotional growth.
• Stress and Trauma: High-stress environments or past traumatic experiences can lead to emotional dysregulation. Individuals may struggle to manage their feelings, resulting in impulsive reactions and difficulty connecting with others.
• Cultural Factors: Different cultures may prioritise emotional expression differently. In cultures where emotional restraint is valued, individuals may find it challenging to express their feelings or understand others’ emotions.
• Limited Exposure: Without exposure to diverse perspectives or emotional experiences, individuals may lack the tools to recognise and interpret emotions effectively, leading to a narrow understanding of social cues.
• Mental Health Issues: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, or personality disorders can impact emotional processing and regulation. Individuals may struggle to recognise or manage their emotions due to these challenges.

Examples of Low Emotional Intelligence at Work

Here are some of the most common examples of low emotional intelligence within the workplace:

• Difficulty Accepting Feedback: Employees react defensively when receiving constructive criticism because they cannot see it as a way to improve their performance and instead take it as an insult.
• Poor Conflict Resolution: When conflicts arise, team members resort to blame-shifting rather than addressing the issue. They avoid discussions or talking to each other instead of seeking common ground.
• Lack of Empathy: A manager dismisses a team member’s stress about an upcoming deadline as baseless instead of acknowledging their concerns and providing support.
• Inability to Control Emotions: An employee frequently displays frustration or anger during team meetings, interrupting others and derailing discussions instead of maintaining composure.

Effects of Low Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

EI is a crucial skill that not everyone possesses naturally.

Here are some problems that can arise from low emotional intelligence:

• Lack of Accountability: Individuals with low EI often blame others for their mistakes and refuse to admit fault. For instance, if a team member makes an error on a project, they may shift blame to others for not supporting them in the task.
• Poor Communication Skills: Employees may find it challenging to convey their thoughts clearly or understand others’ perspectives, which can result in a breakdown of collaboration and productivity.
• Difficulty Accepting Constructive Feedback: When constructive criticism is perceived as a personal attack, it can hinder personal and professional development, preventing individuals from improving their skills or performance.
• Narcissistic Tendencies: Low EI can manifest as self-centred behaviour, making individuals hard to work with. This self-absorption can lead to increased conflicts, lower team morale and cohesiveness, and ultimately affect overall performance.
• Increased Stress and Frustration: Difficulty managing one’s emotions can result in heightened stress levels, negatively affecting performance and relationships. This can create a toxic work environment where individuals feel overwhelmed and unsupported.

How to Deal With Someone with Low Emotional Intelligence

Here are effective strategies to manage interactions with individuals who may struggle with emotional awareness and regulation:

• Communicate Clearly and Directly: Avoid vague statements and provide specific examples to illustrate your points. This reduces the chance of misunderstandings and helps them grasp your expectations.
• Practice Patience: Be patient in your interactions, allowing them time to understand and respond to your concerns. Avoid rushing discussions, as this may lead to further confusion.
• Offer Constructive Feedback: You must know how to provide positive feedback and focus on behaviours rather than personal attributes. For example, instead of saying, “You never listen,” try, “I’ve noticed that some of your submissions don’t reflect what was previously discussed during meetings.”
• Use Active Listening: Demonstrate active listening by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and summarising what they’ve said.
• Set Boundaries: Politely communicate what behaviours are unacceptable and explain how they affect you or the team. For example, if they frequently interrupt, you could say, “I appreciate your input, but I need a moment to finish my thought before we move on.”

Further, you can improve emotional intelligence in your workplace with our internationally accredited course at TSW Training. Our course will help your team build stronger communication and emotional awareness. Book a spot for them today!

Organisational Efforts to Improve Emotional Intelligence

Here are several strategies organisations can implement to promote emotional intelligence among employees:

• Training Programs: Implement structured training sessions focused on developing emotional intelligence skills. These programs can include workshops, seminars, and online courses covering self-awareness, empathy, and conflict resolution.
• Coaching and Mentorship: Pair employees with coaches or mentors with strong emotional intelligence. This personalised guidance can help individuals identify areas for improvement and develop their EI skills in real time.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Create a culture of open and constructive feedback. Explain your feedback process and allow them to offer feedback in a positive way, fostering a supportive environment that emphasises continuous growth and improvement.
• Team-Building Activities: Organise team-building exercises that require collaboration, communication, and empathy. These activities can enhance interpersonal relationships and help employees practise emotional intelligence skills in a group setting.
• Leadership Development: Prioritise emotional intelligence in leadership development programs. Equip leaders with the tools to model and promote EI within their teams, emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding in their leadership styles.

Overcoming Low Emotional Intelligence in Yourself

First, understand that it’s not a failing or a fault on your part – some people have the ability from birth, but others have to learn it. The fact that you’re here trying to do something about it means you’re already improving your self-awareness, which is a key feature of EI.

Enrolling in an emotional intelligence training course is the most straightforward method.

What Type of Emotional Intelligence Training Can Help?

At TSW, we offer our very own expert-led emotional intelligence training course, which includes modules on:

• Identifying your personal values and preferences for communication and decision-making.
• Developing coping strategies for regulating your own behaviour.
• Finding your own ‘why’, your real motivators to use whenever you want to motivate others.
• Developing your ability to be empathic through empathic listening
• Exploring the strengths and limitations of your own communication preferences.

Our emotional intelligence training course also has a few extras to supplement the main course, including:

• Supplementary Reading Materials: Dive deeper into emotional intelligence with our curated collection of eBooks, articles, and case studies, designed to enrich your understanding and provide additional insights and strategies to apply in your personal and professional life.
• Emotional Intelligence Toolkit: Receive a comprehensive toolkit packed with practical tools, templates, and exercises to help you apply your emotional intelligence skills in real-life situations. This invaluable resource will constantly remind and guide your journey towards personal and professional success.
• Lifetime Course Material Access: Enjoy unlimited access to the course materials so you can revisit and refresh your understanding whenever you need a boost in your emotional intelligence journey.

How to Handle It on Your Own

You can also do things to improve your EI on your own. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that people may be able to do this by:

• Setting a goal each day, like being more compassionate
• Actively notice your emotions and recognise your physical response
• Stop and take a few breaths in difficult situations
• Ask questions to understand better how others think and feel
• Use positive affirmations – for example, acknowledge that it’s okay to make mistakes
• Be receptive to change
• Give and receive feedback and constructive criticism
• Make an effort to apologise when in the wrong
• Take care of yourself – use relaxation techniques and other ways to manage stress
• Practise active listening
• Start and end the day with something positive, even if it’s playing your favourite song or reading a treasured book

Another technique you can try to build your emotional intelligence is psychologist Marc Brackett’s RULER tool. Originally developed for use in schools, it can also be applied to the workplace.

RULER is an acronym that stands for:

• Recognise your emotions – acknowledge what you feel, even if you can’t exactly name it
• Understand what causes them – what were you doing? Where were you? Who were you with?
• Label your feelings – you can use an emotion wheel to help with this
• Express how you feel – you can use art, dance, or simply talk about your and others’ feelings
• Regulate your emotions – once you notice an emotion, use temporary distractions – like a walk or talking to a friend – to set it aside until you have time to address it

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding low emotional intelligence:

How Can Low Emotional Intelligence Affect Conflict Resolution?

Low emotional intelligence can severely impact conflict resolution. Individuals with low EI often struggle to understand their own emotions and those of others, leading to misunderstandings and escalated disputes. 

They tend to react defensively, avoiding accountability and shifting blame. This behaviour creates a toxic work environment where conflicts go unresolved, ultimately harming team dynamics and productivity.

Is Low Emotional Intelligence a Barrier to Career Advancement?

Yes, poor emotional intelligence is often a barrier to career advancement. Many roles, especially in leadership, require strong interpersonal skills to manage teams and navigate workplace relationships. 

Individuals with low EI may struggle to build rapport, accept feedback, or lead effectively, hindering their chances for promotions and leadership opportunities.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Low Emotional Intelligence on Organisational Culture?

Low emotional intelligence can harm organisational culture in the long run. It often leads to poor communication, low morale, and higher turnover rates. 

Additionally, a culture lacking emotional awareness fosters misunderstandings and conflicts, creating a negative work environment that affects the organisation’s reputation and talent retention.

How Can Leaders Identify Their Own Low Emotional Intelligence?

Leaders can identify their low emotional intelligence through self-reflection and feedback. 

For instance, seeking 360-degree feedback from colleagues offers insights into their emotional behaviours. Additionally, participating in emotional intelligence assessments or workshops can raise awareness and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Conclusion

Low emotional intelligence can lead to various challenges, such as poor communication, unresolved conflicts, and hindered career advancement. However, these issues can be addressed through concerted organisational efforts to improve emotional awareness and skills.

At TSW Training, we offer an expert-led emotional intelligence course focusing on critical areas such as identifying personal values, developing coping strategies, and enhancing empathic listening. Additionally, your team will get supplementary reading materials, a practical toolkit, and lifetime access to course content. 

Contact us today and book a seat for your team to get started!