Techniques for Making Emotionally Intelligent Decisions

Techniques for Making Emotionally Intelligent Decisions

Be Aware of Your Emotions

Recognise your emotions and how they might impact your decision-making. Before making a decision, check in with yourself and identify if you’re feeling stressed, angry, or overly excited, as these emotions can cloud judgment. Increased self-awareness allows for more balanced and rational decisions.

Consider Others’ Perspectives

Emotional intelligence helps you empathise with others, allowing you to take their views into account during decision-making. Ask yourself how your decision will affect your team or stakeholders, and whether you’ve considered their emotional and practical needs. Empathy leads to more inclusive decisions that consider the well-being and morale of others.

Separate Emotions from Facts

Distinguish between emotional reactions and the facts of the situation. List the facts and data involved in the decision and assess them separately from any emotional responses you or others may have. This ensures that decisions are grounded in reality, reducing the risk of emotionally biased choices.

Regulate Stress

High levels of stress can impair decision-making. Being emotionally intelligent means knowing how to manage stress effectively. Practice stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, exercise, or taking short breaks, especially when faced with important decisions. Managing stress helps you maintain clarity and make better decisions under pressure.

Encourage Emotional Insight in Others

Help your team develop their emotional intelligence so that collective decision-making is more thoughtful and emotionally aware. Encourage open dialogue about emotions and how they affect decision-making processes, creating a team environment where emotional intelligence is valued. This promotes a collaborative, emotionally aware decision-making culture within your team.

Final Words

Emotionally intelligent decision-making is a skill that can transform the way leaders approach challenges and opportunities. By tuning into your emotions and understanding the feelings of others, you gain the clarity to make choices that are not only logical but also deeply considerate of the people involved.

By incorporating these techniques, leaders can enhance their decision-making abilities, ensuring decisions are thoughtful, empathetic, and effective.

If you would like my help with your decision making please call me on 020 8337 5937 or send an email to gary@garymorgan.coach

Find out more about my Leadership Training here.