If you don’t want to be a corporate robot, quit your 9-5 and start a business. Starting a business doesn’t mean you’d make it anyway, but, for the sake of avoiding that rude boss and his Wicked HR, quit the job.
Business isn’t that rosy, it’s not a walk in the park. Even if it were, it would be hard for Nigerians. Life in Nigeria is a different ball game. breathes in the smell of a freshly made akara
If we are being honest, Business isn’t all about wearing suits and heels, preparing PowerPoint presentations, speaking English, and playing the boss all day. it’s about the heavy breathing you get from running to meet up with that tycoon you look up to. it’s about failing and succeeding, it’s also about frustrations and disappointments. Sometimes you’d invest in a business that really doesn’t make sense, and you get to know this after you’ve borrowed money from your 75-year-old grandpa.
And then there’s the tears. Oh yes, the tears. The ones you cry in silence when NEPA takes light in the middle of production, or when the POS machine fails you in front of a customer. Or when your biggest client suddenly goes mute and you’re left refreshing WhatsApp like your life depends on it. Because it does. That’s when you know business is not for the weak.
When all these emotions pile up, this is where EQ (Emotional intelligence) comes in. just in case you haven’t heard of it before, let me school you a little. Adjust Eyeglass
Well, according to Google; EQ means the ability to understand and manage your emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you.
You know that your wicked HR, acting like they were created to supervise the works of Satan on earth. EQ is basically the difference between being a great leader and being that manager who makes interns cry during lunch. but why would you cry during lunch though? there’s food in front of you, eat it and damn your HR or Boss.
Let’s not lie, most Nigerian managers skipped that class. Or maybe they used the note to wrap groundnuts. Because how else do you explain a team lead who sends you a 3-page query over a missed comma?
Emotional intelligence is made up of five parts:
Self-awareness – Knowing you’re hangry and not waiting for someone to tell you. For instance, I know I am as stubborn as a goat. So, if someone gets to tell me how stubborn I am, my response would be “I know”. A self-Aware queen I stand Flips Imaginary Hair
So the next time you act out, check your stomach, you just might be hungry or broke. whatever!
Self-regulation – This is about controlling your emotions. This is one thing I should learn. I get really cranky and angry when I am hungry. One time, I snapped at my customer because she asked for a discount after pricing me like I was selling tomatoes. Did I lose the customer? yes. Did I learn from it? Also yes.
Motivation – The need and trigger to do well without expecting a carnival in your honor or a state named after you. The world doesn’t revolve around you, neither are you the price. except it’s me; then I am the price and off course, the world needs me to revolve. If not, no one cares whether or not you make it, scram!
Motivation is dragging yourself out of bed on Monday even when your account balance is doing funeral procession. It’s sending that proposal even though 12 others ghosted you. Motivation is likened to Perserverance.
Empathy –Some of you lack this. Especially your HR who feels like she was appointed by God. Understanding why Christy from marketing is always coming to work angry (we know there’s nothing fun about work, but everyday anger?) And why Dave is always crying in the restroom when we are outside waiting to use the restroom as well. Go cry under your Desk Dave!
Empathy is knowing everyone’s fighting something, so maybe don’t yell at Blessing because she sent the wrong file. Ask her if she’s okay.
Social skills – Talk to humans like a human, Not feeling like a god on earth and everyone is a peasant before you. They don’t need to be afraid of you before they follow your leadership. You’re not Pharaoh. Don’t raise your voice like thunder just to get work done. Sometimes a simple “please” and “thank you” goes further than a 2-hour lecture on deliverables.
Why EQ Matters More Than That Oxford MBA certificate You Brag About
Yes, we know it’s hard to get into Oxford university. An Oxford MBA will land you a good space in society but without EQ, you’ll end up ruling it like a cold-hearted dictator. People won’t follow you because they like you, or your fine face; they’ll follow you because they’re afraid you’ll “circle back” with another passive aggressive “get to work you moron” email.
Trust me, nobody likes to work with someone who breathes tension. If your presence makes people sweat like they’re in an interview 24/7, you’re the problem. Fix it.
Roles of EQ in Business
Leaders with High EQ inspire loyalty (this might not be entirely true; humans are terrible and would want to ride on the fact that you are a nice person, for the purpose of this article, let’s assume this is true), trust, and a healthy workplace environment.
Leaders with Low EQ causes confusion, conflict, anxiety and an extra group chat title “Survivors of the HR”. we don’t want this.
Image Credit: Pinterest
Picture this: As a leader, You walk into a meeting and you see your favourite employee going band for band with Linda, the new intern. Linda is accusing your favorite staff for taking credit for her idea (again), and your favorite staff is typing aggressively. But you lack EQ, so you immediately take sides with your favorite employee because she is angry and it shows in her typing and Linda is just yapping without a reason You see, if you had EQ, it would be a piece of cake handling such.
You need emotional intelligence to maintain professionalism and make Vicky who is yelling at you look like a lost monkey. But i wouldn’t maintain this level of professionalism, after work, i’d wait for you at the gate so we’d throw hands. band for band. Some situations just call for hood energy. Let’s not lie.
Be nice to people. Listen more and talk less; that way, you’d read the room and know how to respond to situations. Be Less Robot, More Human. At the end of the day, people want to work with humans, not corporate thugs who are soaked in frustration. Emotional intelligence is what keeps the workplace from becoming a daily episode of the Anxiety Room.
You don’t want people waking up every morning and praying you call in sick.It will affect one’s performance at work. No one needs all of that negative energy.
So go forth, and let your business be a reflection of you. Let it be full of vibes, realness, and sense. Not pepper soup and pain. EQ is the sauce; add it up.
