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4. UTILISE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TO

MAXIMISE TEAM OUTCOMES
4.1 Encourage a positive emotional climate in the
workplace
4.2 Use the strengths of workgroup members to achieve
workplace outcomes
Encouraging a positive emotional climate in the workplace
The following information is taken from Establishing positive emotional climates
to advance organizational transformation by Leslie E.Sekerka and Barbara
L.Fredrickson. The whole paper can be read at 
It is acknowledged that the type of emotions of humans engaging in a social
interaction will determine whether the interaction is a positive or negative one.
For example, if an individual approaches another with a radiant smile and open
arms it is likely that the other individual will respond with a smile and a cheery
countenance, making for a positive interaction. If, on the other hand, the first
individual storms up to the other with a grimace and their fists clenched the
interaction is much more likely to be negative.
Since we work alongside other people there are inevitably going to be social
interactions, from an acknowledgment in the corridor, a conversation on the
way into the building from the carpark, to an hour long conversation amongst
a group of workers at lunch time. Positive emotions breed positive social
interactions and the more positive social interactions that take place within
an organisation, the stronger and more positive the relationships become
between the work force. Building a positive community within the organisation
encourages workers to independently join together to work collaboratively
on projects. When team members have a strong relationship they are more
likely to sustain positive emotions and a positive mind set. This maintenance of
positive energy then breeds ideas and creativity which results in innovation and
increased productivity.
The satisfaction the team members enjoy from their successes increases
motivation for further success and a further increase in productivity. As the
positive mood and emotions continue, the members of the team then seek to
take on new challenges with other teams, increasing the collaboration growing
the cohesion of the community within the organisation. The more the workers
collaborate and share success and satisfaction as a whole, the less competition
there is for allocation of resources as it becomes a shared ownership for the
benefit of the whole organisation.
Individual members of the work force start to see themselves as part of the
fabric of the organisation instead of individual workers and view themselves
as we, the organisation, and not I. The positive environment creates a work
place that is fun, satisfying, productive, supportive and innovative, and one in
which the work force takes ownership and responsibility for the part they play

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in its success. Any negative emotions emanating from an individual are quickly
negated by the wave of positivity around them.

Benefits of a positive emotional environment in the workplace

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Using strength of team members to achieve workplace outcomes

As your work force develops their own emotional intelligence they become much
more able to manage their emotions and those of others. The negative emotions
that were destructive and a hindrance to you achieving your business goals and
objectives is replaced by positive emotions which breeds a positive emotional
climate in the workplace and ultimately an organisation that thrives on the
satisfaction they achieve collaboratively as a whole. The motivation to improve
and innovate continues with each goal it reaches. The obstacles that prevented
positivity and cohesion due to a lack of emotional intelligence have been
transformed into the workplace outcomes from chapter 3.4 that now ensure the
positive productivity that enables you to reach those business objectives.
Workplace outcomes
If you consider the workplace outcomes that have been achieved throughout
your workforce through the development of their own emotional intelligence
you can see the importance of emotional intelligence in all workers. In fact, if
you think back to the beginning of this unit when we considered that emotional
intelligence was not an essential requirement of an employee, without these
workplace outcomes, the whole organisation would be littered with barriers to
achievement.
Consider the opposite of the workplace outcomes and how much negativity they
would bring to your workplace environment and the success of the organisation.

The capacity to identify and understand

the impact ones own feelings is having
on thoughts, decisions, behaviour and
performance at work
Creating greater understanding amongst
colleagues about yourself
Greater understanding of others, how to
engage, respond, motivate and connect
with them
Enhanced decision-making where more
information is considered in the process
Improved job satisfaction and
engagement
Enhanced productivity and performance
The capacity to generate a positive and
satisfying work environment for others
Emotional well-being
The capacity to deal effectively with situations that cause strong emotions
Greater self-awareness
Creating trust and perceptions of
genuineness amongst colleagues
Interpersonal effectiveness
Greater buy-in from others into
decisions that are made
Improved ability to cope with high
work demands
The capacity to generate greater
productivity and performance from
others
The capacity to effectively deal
with workplace conflict
The capacity to think clearly in
stressful situations

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Activity 4.1

1. Why is it important to encourage a positive emotional climate in the

workplace?

2. Identify a range of individuals (between five and ten) within your work force
and assess their skills and abilities against the workplace outcomes. Which
areas require development in each?

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BSB51915 DIPLOMA OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT & BSB61215 ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE_V1.5