Some years back, I worked with a talented UI/UX designer at a startup whose designs were clean, crisp, and visually appealing.
The problem?
He wasn't great at handling feedback, managing conflicts, communicating effectively, and collaborating with others. Long story short, he only lasted three months in the company after a series of unsuccessful attempts to help him adjust.
This is a common pattern across many Nigerian workplaces. We place so much emphasis on learning digital and technical skills that we often overlook the soft skills, which are just as crucial.
So it's no surprise to see brilliant employees struggling to hold down jobs and build healthy relationships due to a lack of emotional intelligence.
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters Now More Than Ever
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage emotions, and it's quietly becoming one of the most important skills in today's workplace.
Daniel Goleman, author of the book "Emotional Intelligence," explained that while your technical skills might get you through the door, it's emotional intelligence that determines how far you'll go.
And that couldn't be truer in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
While AI can automate repetitive tasks, analyse data, detect trends, and write entire reports with great speed and accuracy, it lacks what makes us human — emotion.
AI can't remind you to pause, breathe, and respond calmly to an issue or sense when your colleague is overwhelmed. Neither can it notice when your team is in dire need of motivation. These are human traits, and they have become more valuable as technology takes over the technical side of work.
As Goleman puts it, emotional intelligence isn't about being "nice." It's about being aware of yourself, sensitive to others, and intentional about how you respond, especially when things get tough.
The Benefits of Building Emotionally Intelligent Workplaces
Here's what happens when emotional intelligence becomes part of your workplace culture.
1. Better Collaboration
When employees feel heard, respected, and valued, they're more open, creative, and willing to work together.
Instead of competing or avoiding one another, they start solving problems as a team. This kind of trust ensures collaboration feels natural, not forced in a workplace.
2. Higher Employee Engagement
Employees who feel valued are more likely to go above and beyond because they believe their contributions matter. In short, data from our survey shows 87% of employees in Certified organisations say they are willing to give extra to get the job done compared to only 66% in non-certified workplaces. In other words, it goes beyond pay; it's about purpose and belonging.
3. Swift Conflict Resolution
Misunderstandings happen everywhere, even among families. But emotionally intelligent teams handle them differently.
Instead of gossip, silent treatment, or public arguments, leaders listen without judgment, and colleagues apologise and move forward. That emotional maturity ensures your team is more focused and productive.
4. Improved Retention and Loyalty
When leaders show empathy, give honest feedback, and create psychologically safe spaces, employees naturally stay longer. At high-trust workplaces, turnover rates drop dramatically because people don't just love their jobs; they love the culture.
5. Stronger Innovation
Employees in emotionally intelligent environments perform better, adapt faster to change, and innovate more freely. Why?
Because they're not afraid to share new ideas or make mistakes, and they know their leaders will support, not shame, them. Our survey affirms this: 87% of employees at certified organizations say they are able to innovate, compared to 57% at non-certified organizations.
6. Attract the Best Talent
In today's workplace, employees, especially Gen Z, want more than a fat paycheck. They want organisations that offer trust, belonging, work-life balance, growth, and inclusion. 76% of employees in Certified organisations say their workplace is psychologically and emotionally healthy, compared to just 42% in non-certified ones. And when emotional intelligence is part of your culture, word spreads fast, and top talent will want to be part of it.
Building an Emotionally Intelligent Workplace
For your organisation to thrive in this new era, you must move beyond seeing emotional intelligence as a "nice-to-have" and integrate it into your core operational strategy. Here's how to implement it.
1. Rethink Your Hiring Process
Too often, we hire only for brains and forget about behaviour. When recruiting, look beyond CVs and pay attention to how potential employees communicate, handle feedback, or talk about past challenges.
Ask questions that reveal character: "How do you handle pressure?"
"Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate — how did you resolve it?"
And when people join, onboarding shouldn't stop at policies and software tutorials.
Create space for conversations about empathy, feedback, and respect at work. That's how you set the tone from day one.
2. Let Leaders Lead With Heart
Great culture starts at the top. If you're cold, distant, or defensive, it trickles down. But if you're open, empathetic, and self-aware, that energy spreads too. Remember, people don't leave jobs; they leave managers.
3. Prioritize Learning Soft Skills
We talk a lot about upgrading our digital skills, but investing in soft skill workshops is now a critical competitive advantage. Organise regular training on topics like non-violent communication, stress management, diversity and inclusion (D&I), empathy, and conflict resolution techniques for team members.
Looking Ahead: Humanity Wins
In the near future, the most successful workplaces will be those that invest in both technology and emotional intelligence.
They'll build workplaces where trust drives innovation, empathy guides change, and people remain at the heart of every transformation.
