Pandemic Times: Applying Emotional Intelligence to Remote Working and Living

by Megan Laufman, EIDI

March 13, 2020 was the last day my husband stepped foot in his office and my kids bounced down the halls of their elementary school with backpacks on their backs. It was the last day our lives had any semblance of normalcy as we had known it. Like everyone else, since then we’ve needed to adjust to the entire family working and learning virtually from home and have had to thoughtfully create some boundaries to make it work.

Applying practical suggestions from the EID model (Emotional Intelligence and Diversity) can be immensely helpful in a time like this. As employees work remotely, the need for engagement, communication and morale boosts are even more important now than ever.

So, what are some EID approaches to implement in order to maintain resilience and structure while working virtually?

1. Find ways to connect with colleagues and your team.

The isolation and disconnection that people are feeling during this time is real. Checking in with team members and employees on a regular basis is important and it is helpful to create space for candid, open communication about work and home life with colleagues. What struggles are your co-workers enduring in a time like this and how can you help? Perhaps they live in a multi-generational home or perhaps they are struggling with mental health issues and as a result work is being affected. Social Architecting, which focuses on structuring a synergistic and compelling environment, encourages you to create opportunities via zoom or conference calls to have frequent, casual conversation whereby the feeling of support, connection and camaraderie is felt.

2. Use empathy towards others and yourself.

“You never know what someone is going through. Be kind always.” While this adage is true, it’s especially relevant at this very moment. The Intercultural Literacy component of the EID model aims to help transcend your own perspective and involves metaphorically walking in others’ shoes. Have a heightened sense of awareness and tune in to the stressors, emotions, and issues co-workers may be dealing with. Your colleagues may be faced with friends or family members who are ill or may be intensely fearful of the world we are living in. Ask how colleagues are doing and show sincere interest. Being sensitive and understanding will go a long way right now and this also applies to you as well. Realize that you also are enduring unprecedented and difficult times and extend a little TLC and empathy towards yourself as well.

3. Regulate and create boundaries.

While adapting to the remote work environment, it can be very difficult to carve out a quiet space for an uninterrupted work day. Even if you have a separate, enclosed office, the fact that you are home is tempting for family members or kids to continuously come in and interrupt your flow. This can create frustration and tension and being able to manage your feelings and reactions is critical to your emotional health. The Self-Governance portion of the EID model guides you in handling change and ambiguity in a way that promotes flexibility and gives tools in the face of change. Create boundaries so that everyone knows that when the door is closed during work hours, you are working and cannot be interrupted.

4. Stay motivated while enjoying the luxuries of the “WFH (Work From Home)” lifestyle.

Internal motivation can be especially hard while working in the confines of our homes. Focus on the things you like and appreciate most about your role. Setting daily goals, large and small, will help keep you on track and can provide a boost with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. These goals can even be personal! So often, people who work from home will admit (sometimes with guilt) that they have a load of laundry going while making calls or are putting dinner in the oven so it’s ready when work is over. That, my friends, is the beauty of the WFH setup! By using Affirmative Introspection, you can own your needs and desires and be comfortable with those values during this time. It’s wonderful to maximize productivity and efficiency by doing the things that need to get done on your chore list, while working and balancing the two parts of your life.

5. Heighten your awareness of self and others.

Being able to read cues and “read the room” is crucial to one’s success. In remote environments, it’s important to harness your sixth sense and intuition to pick up where things may not be right and get curious about what can be done to make things better. Understand that since working conditions are different, it’s important to evaluate your feelings and how they may be affecting those you work with. What emotions are you conveying and how could that potentially be impacting your team? Affirmative Introspection also teaches how to be in tune with your own biases and hot buttons and is a highly effective tool in promoting heightened self-awareness.

6. Do your best to keep your workspace clean and free from clutter.

As the saying goes, “Cluttered house, cluttered mind.” It’s amazing what a clean desk and workspace will do for your emotional and mental state as you walk in to your office to begin your day. Incorporating natural light, a plant and even maybe a candle will create an inviting space where you can focus and do your best work. If you can eliminate bills, dishes from breakfast or lunch, and ancillary “stuff” from your work space you will find that you are more centered and eager to approach your day as you walk in every morning.

As we all struggle through this challenging time of remote work and learning, there certainly isn’t a one size fits all approach. Each environment has its own set of circumstances but these four emotional intelligence components will help provide you with tips and tools to make each remote situation the best it can be.