3 EQ Strategies to Get A Better Read On Your Boss

3 EQ strategies to get a better read on your boss

When it comes to getting ahead in your career, understanding your boss is paramount for your own career goals. This month on CBS KCTV5 Better Kansas City, I chatted with Alexis about how to read your boss’s behavior using some techniques of Emotional Intelligence.

Here’s a quick snapshot if you don’t have time to watch the segment!

Observe:

  • Understand how your boss uses verbal cues such as tone, inflection, rate, pitch and pauses in verbal communication. Understanding and reading how your manager uses these cues will help you assess how to appropriately respond and emotionally connect (in a professional way of course). Example: Does your boss speak fast because he is nervous? Excited? A different reason? Knowing this will empower you in a way to better connect with him.
  • See if you can identify the root cause of his/her emotions in different scenarios so you are prepared during more stressful moments to still be able to assess and manage the relationship.

Inquire about personality type:

  • Meyer’s Briggs, Strengths Finders, True Colors, etc. See if you can strike up a conversation early on to determine your boss’s personality strengths. Is he highly analytical? Big picture thinker and less interested in details? Rigid? Flexible? Knowing these sorts of personality traits will be helpful in reading his behavior and clue you in to how you can communicate effectively.

Pay attention to details around the office:

  • What are the elements your boss values? Does he value structure? Open office spaces? Does he enjoy weekly pep talks? Pay attention to the details your management cares about. This is an easy way to become more emotionally intelligent regarding your boss’s needs.

 

Being emotionally intelligent has proven to be one of the best strategies to achieving success in your career path. The better you can connect with your boss, the better it will be for your career.