Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now, the opportunities are endless, and we as humans are tasked with the challenge of outlining the use cases for AI, how the technology should be leveraged, and where the lines should be drawn. It feels exciting, and a bit overwhelming.
Since joining Dana-Farber, it has been so impressive to see all the AI tools available internally and exciting to be a part of the conversations and training. I continue to think about how to incorporate AI into my day-to-day role as a project manager and become more efficient at my job. On the flip side, it seems to me that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is also critical to being successful as a project manager and I have been curious how to continue to improve my EI, as it may be one of the few places humans have the upper hand.
When you hear the words “emotional intelligence” what do you think of? To me, EI conjures up visions of “trust falls” or team building sessions where you share your feelings and strive to learn more about your teammates, and through that process of learning about each other, develop empathy and build trust. While those are important pieces of the puzzle, they are more about the process of team building than EI. Or as AI put it when prompted, “How is team building different from EI?”
“While both aim to improve teamwork, ”team building” refers to planned activities designed to enhance collaboration, communication, and trust within a group, while “EI” focuses on the individual ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of others, which can be a key component of successful team building; essentially, team building is the practice, and EI is the underlying skill that makes it effective.”
Well said, AI friend. The key to EI is that it isn’t just important to know your colleagues, how they react to things, and how to build trust. Knowing YOURSELF is also critical. Self-awareness is considered a key area of emotional intelligence, as is self-management or self-regulation. The ability to know or reflect on your feelings and understand what is driving those feelings. Then, with that knowledge or self-awareness, manage your reactions. For example, will you have a calm reaction to a stressful situation or an outburst? Will you have a positive outlook on news or a negative one?
In thinking about my role as a project manager, facilitating open discussion, building shared buy-in, and bringing people with different passions and skill sets together to achieve a common goal (on time and on budget of course) is key! Improving my EI will certainly make me better in my role. But how to do it?
Surround yourself with self-aware people and be a part of a culture or family that values empathy and perspective sharing. While I am not an EI expert, my experiences have taught me this:
- Have formal and informal mentors => be like them!
- Find mentors, family members, friends, or colleagues whom you think handle things about right and model that behavior. Be aware of when you don’t.
- Network => you will gain perspective!
- Connect with your teammates and people from all over the business and industry. Share perspectives. Gain insights and an understanding of what others are working on and/or value.
- Be someone who helps => you will develop great relationships!
- Volunteer work, community service, or at your day-to-day job – help others and don’t be afraid to show weakness or ask the basic questions, be human, be honest. When you let your guard down, you tend to let people in.
- Breathe or mediate => you will learn to take a breath before reacting!
- Sometimes the best thing we can do is pause a reaction and think it over. Why did someone say that? What was the real intent? Breathing exercises and mediation are proven to help with self-regulation.
The power of AI technology is incredible and here to stay. We should all learn how to leverage artificial intelligence and, also, stay committed to strengthening our emotional intelligence!
Here are few great articles if interested in more from the experts:
Article from Harvard Professors
HBS Blog: Emotional-intelligence-skills
Thank you for this thoughtful blog post. While AI is a remarkable tool, EI makes Dana-Farber…Dana-Farber.
In gratitude for DFCEI!
DFCEI – love it, Helen!