DECA Competitive Events: Emotional Intelligence

Describe the nature of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is a set of personal skills in the following areas.

• Foster self-understanding to recognize the impact of personal feelings on others.

• Develop personal traits to foster career advancement.

• Apply ethics to demonstrate trustworthiness in working with others.

• Exhibit techniques to manage emotional reactions to people and situations.

• Identify with others' feelings, needs and concerns to enhance interpersonal relations.

• Use communication skills to foster open, honest communications.

• Use communication skills to influence others' point of view.

• Apply problem solving techniques to obtain solutions to issues and questions.

• Manage stressful situations to minimize negative workplace situations.

• Implement teamwork techniques to accomplish goals.

• Employ leadership skills to achieve workplace objectives.

• Manage internal and external business relationships to foster positive interactions.

Explain the concept of self esteem.

Self esteem is the way you perceive your worth or value as a person. It is an important interpersonal skill that allows you to believe in yourself and helps you relate positively to others. You can demonstrate positive self esteem by treating others with respect and friendliness, dressing appropriately on the job, and behaving in a confident yet courteous manner.

Why is it necessary to recognize personal biases and stereotypes?

A stereotype is an oversimplified distorted belief about a person or a group. It is important to recognize personal biases or stereotypes so that we may correct them. When you learn about others you become more tolerant and understanding.

Identify how to assess personal strengths and weaknesses.

When assessing your strengths and weaknesses, many areas can be explored. Interpersonal skills that can be assessed include self esteem, attitude, initiative, self control, creativity, flexibility, stress management, and time management skills. You will also want to assess more concrete skills and abilities. These are things that you will be asked to do in the workplace, such as selling a product or organizing an activity.

Complete a self-assessment by asking yourself if you have these types of skills and taking inventory of your workplace values and needs. Determine what skills you are lacking and where you can make improvements. Develop your skills and abilities by reading, observing, and working in a real-world situation.

Identify desirable personality traits important to business.

There are many characteristics of successful businesspeople, including persistence, creativity, responsibility, confidence, and enthusiasm. A businessperson should be inquisitive, goal-oriented, independent, a risk taker, and action oriented. Essential skills

for running a business include the following: communication, math, problem solving, technology, decision making, organizing, teamwork, social, and basic business skills.

How can someone exhibit self-confidence?

Self-confidence can be demonstrated by how you present yourself and through your actions. It is shown in your personal hygiene and the way you dress. It can also be shown through your relationships with others and your work habits.

Explain how to demonstrate interest and enthusiasm.

Interest and enthusiasm can be demonstrated verbally and non-verbally. When speaking choose words that are descriptive, vary your tone, listen and ask relevant questions. Non- verbal cues can be seen in your facial expressions, body language and eye contact.

How can you demonstrate initiative?

Demonstrating initiative means taking action and completing tasks without being specifically asked to do so. An example of taking initiative is developing a new idea for a marketing campaign and conducting the research to show that your idea has viability.

Explain how to demonstrate responsible behavior.

Demonstrating responsibility means being willing to accept an obligation and being accountable for an action or situation. One can demonstrate responsibility in a myriad of ways. Be willing to accept change and volunteer for jobs and tasks. Display initiative by doing what needs to be done without being told. Be punctual and have a solid work ethic.

Describe how to demonstrate honesty and integrity.

Honesty and integrity are desirable qualities of a good employee and a good person. You can demonstrate these qualities by being loyal and trustworthy at work and in daily activities. Act responsibly and ethically, even though it may be difficult at times.

Respect others' feelings and possessions. Being dishonest can ruin your reputation and can harm personal and professional relationships.

Explain the concept of ethical work habits.

Ethics are the basic values and moral principles that guide behavior. Characteristics of ethical work habits include honesty, respect, and equity. Being honest is more than just telling the truth. It means maintaining confidentiality and having respect for company property. Honesty is the basis for a trustworthy business relationship. Another solid base for business/customer relations is showing respect. This means listening to others with an open mind and responding with courtesy and tact. Equity means that everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Because people expect to be treated the way those around them are treated, it is important to be fair and equitable in dealing with others.

Explain the use of feedback for personal growth.

The way feedback is given often affects the way you accept it. Destructive criticism focuses just on the bad things and gives the recipient no help. Conversely, constructive criticism is designed to be helpful. It is said calmly with a focus on the problem, not the person, and suggestions for improvements are given. Anyone who is new to a job must expect criticism.

One can control his/her reaction to feedback. Maintain a positive attitude and try to avoid getting defensive. People who respond to negative feedback in a positive way generally impress others. Those who work on correcting their weaknesses tend to move ahead in their careers. When giving feedback, it is important that your message be clear and easily understood. Give feedback in a nonthreatening manner, discussing problems with others one-on-one when possible.

Explain the importance of respecting the privacy of others.

Respecting others' privacy includes treating the conversations, property, and work of friends and coworkers as if they were your own. At work, be respectful of the phone

calls, faxes, e-mail, voice mail, and documents of others. Many of these things should not be shared with others, and much of the information at your workplace must be kept confidential.

Confidentiality means not sharing sensitive information that you know with someone else. These acts of professional courtesy are also part of displaying workplace etiquette. Failing to respect others' privacy can harm your personal and professional relationships, including being disciplined or fired on the job.

How can you show empathy for others?

Empathy is an understanding of another person's situation or frame of mind. On the job, you should be open-minded, realizing that many people are under pressure. Treat others considerately, and call on your own experiences. Before you react to someone, think of the position the other person is in. You may see things differently, and your reaction may be more effective. Be aware of how you appear to someone else, trying not to hurt or offend them. Speak carefully, and think about the way others will feel when they hear what you have to say. Let other people know you are interested in them, smile, and make them feel important. Do not assume that certain behaviors and views are universal; many people in the world have ideas that are very different from yours.

Identify ways to exhibit cultural sensitivity.

In order to exhibit sensitivity to other cultures, begin by respecting differences among people. Another key is to avoid and overcome stereotypes. A stereotype is an oversimplified, distorted belief about a person or group. In business, you must maintain an awareness of the language and cultural differences that will affect company employees as well as customers.

Explain the nature of effective communications.

Communication is the process of exchanging messages between a sender and a receiver. Effective communicators need to understand channels of communication and media, effective listening skills, barriers to communication, and non-verbal cues. In addition, one must be prepared to read for meaning, speak properly, and write effectively.

Channels (or media) are the avenues through which a message can be delivered. The choice of medium depends on the nature and importance of the message. Effective listening allows a person to identify the purpose of the speaker, give feedback, and

evaluate the speaker's message. Communication may be impeded by a number of barriers, including physical such as distance and position from the speaker, and verbal as in using vague or unclear language. Lastly, a person's non-verbal cues—such as his or her tone of voice, emphasis, and body language—are critical because they often communicate as much as the speaker's actual words.

Explain ethical considerations in providing information.

Ethical business practices ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed in a company's relationships with everyone in the company or who is affected by its activities. Ethical behavior is lawful and does not harm some while benefiting others. Business practices are ethical if its actions are not embarrassing if they become public. Many businesses develop a statement of core values that guide the ethical decisions and actions of the company.

A company's commitment to ethics should be clear during the hiring process as well as in day-to-day operations. Interviewees may be questioned about ethics, and new hires should be provided information about the company's commitment to ethics and values.

Ethical behavior should be a part of employee evaluations and promotions, and managers should model ethical behavior when dealing with customers.

Explain how to utilize negotiation skills in business.

Negotiation is the process of working with or among the parties in a conflict to find a resolution, and requires a willingness to work together to achieve a mutually-agreeable solution. No company will completely avoid conflict in the workplace, so learning and practicing negotiation skills is important. Six effective techniques for negotiating conflict are:

1) show respect

2) recognize and define the problem

3) seek a variety of possible solutions

4) collaborate, or work together

5) be reliable

6) preserve your relationship

The two most important negotiation skills are speaking and listening.

Each party must first present the problem from their point of view. Use a non-aggressive tone and "I statements" to make your point, trying not to cast blame. Active listening on your part shows you are interested in the other person's ideas and feelings. Try to empathize with the person who is speaking. The problem is solved only when both/all parties reach a common agreement.

Explain how to use conflict-resolution skills.

Begin by allowing each party of a dispute to define the problem from his/her point of view. Then, allow each one to suggest a solution to the problem. Next, those options should be evaluated, so each party can explain what they can and cannot accept. To overcome the differences, parties to a problem may have to think creatively and compromise.

Compromising means that each party will agree to give something up in order to settle a dispute. Conflict-resolution is done best when solutions are found that will allow each side of a dispute to save face and create the least amount of ill will. Sometimes, parties in a dispute may have to seek mediation or arbitration from an independent third party.

Explain the nature of stress management.

Stress is a person's reaction to pressures from the outside world. It can be mental or physical. Managing stress is important to a healthy lifestyle and effectiveness in the workplace. Stress can be harmful, causing undue anxiety and suppressing the body's immune system.

Three things are essential to help prevent or reduce stress: regular exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep. Researchers emphasize engaging in recreational activities as a way to manage stress. In times of stress, it is important to make reasonable compromises and learn to accept those things you cannot change about the world around you.

Explain the use of consensus building skills.

A consensus is a decision upon which each member of a group agrees. It is a critical component of teamwork as well as negotiation. To achieve a consensus, it is helpful to allow all members to state their opinions. It will often require members of the group to be flexible and accept a compromise. Allowing team members to be involved in setting and achieving the team's goals is important and often results in increased company loyalty and a stronger team spirit. Consensus building is also beneficial in that it leads to extra motivation and a sense of ownership among team members.

Explain methods for motivating team members.

A variety of methods can be useful for management to motivate team members. Factors that motivate employees are achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, growth, and the reward from doing the work itself. The use of rewards for good work can be effective. When giving rewards, identify those workers who are effective and efficient, and not those who simply get the work done. Also, reward and recognize long- term employees for their loyalty to the company.

Employees are also motivated by the freedom to be creative. Encouraging them to show creativity without risk of penalty often yields positive and ingenious results.

Explain the concept of leadership.

Leadership is helping members of an organization achieve their goals. Leadership requires a wide range of skills and personal traits, including self-confidence, creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication. Good leaders understand people, show social judgment, and can motivate others. Leaders have a vision, and can communicate that vision with those around them while minimizing conflicts that may arise.

How can you foster positive working relationships?

Working with others is not always easy, which is why it is important to create and maintain a working environment that is positive and effective. Working as a team is a critical component for a group of people to achieve a common goal. Being a valuable team member involves making the team's goals our top priority, building positive group dynamics, and being an active listener.

One way to foster a positive working relationship with others is to show respect for their ideas and feelings. Being prompt with your assignments and showing responsibility are

other ways to maintain those relationships. Also, as in most areas of business, being able to communicate effectively with others is a skill that must be learned and utilized.

Explain the impact of political relationships within an organization.

A company's culture affects the way it is organized. A formal culture may include a strict chain of command, with one person at the top making all decisions. Several levels of management, or bureaucracy, may follow. Job titles are important as indicators of power and status within a company in a business with a formal culture. Making changes and passing down decisions in such an organization can be complicated and time consuming.

Other companies have an informal culture, where employees are encouraged to make their own decisions. In such a company, job titles are not as important as creativity and teamwork.