It's the little things that people remember.
Former chief executive officer of Campbell's Soup, Douglas Conant, delivered more than 30,000 hand-written notes during his tenure at the company. As we all know, CEOs are busy people. But it made an impact on everyone who worked at Campbell's during that time.
Deirdre Breakenridge, CEO of Pure Performance Communications uses this example when talking about a topic she is quite passionate about: emotional intelligence in the workplace.
"The level of detail and the understanding that (he had) for all those people, it just says something about a leader," she said. "It’s real, it’s now, it’s thoughtful, it’s emotional intelligence."
Breakenridge, a 30-year communications industry veteran, will discuss her research on emotional intelligence and the development of FEEL First, a model for empathetic intergenerational communication, as the keynoter for PRNEWS’ Top Places to Work in PR & Agency Elite Awards on Nov. 21 in New York City.
Emotional Intelligence: A Skill to Improve Communications
Some highlights from the video:
How do you define emotional intelligence?
"I like to look at it as the ability to be aware and manage your own emotions, so you can recognize the emotions of other people. When you do this you can use the emotional information to guide your thinking and actions."
What are some top-line examples that you’ve seen in the industry that indicate a need for more emotional intelligence?
"When you are in a meeting and people talk over one another—that’s a sign. Another sign is when there are frequent outbursts of negative emotions. Also, when people aren’t listening to one another."
How can companies go through a seamless transition and encourage a workplace that includes more emotional intelligence?
"Companies that want to increase EI will encourage and reward communication. They will want people to build relationships through communication and as a result, as people are communicating, they are going to use the feedback and show that they care. That’s a way for people to learn how to get closer and be recognized."
How can these techniques also be applied to the actual work brands are doing?
"If companies are taking the time to be on social media and create great content about what they are doing and what they care about and what they think their audience cares about, then they also have to be present when the comments start flooding in. And maybe it’s positive or neutral or negative, but one way to show you really are empathetic is to be able to take any kind of feedback, and show that you care. If you make a mistake, be able to say you are sorry and really mean it."
Hear more from Deirdre Breakenridge at the PRNEWS’ Top Places to Work in PR & Agency Elite Awards on Nov. 21 in New York City.