Social Awareness – Another Key to Emotional Intelligence
We continue our exploratory journey of emotional intelligence (EI) by examining its third element: Social Awareness.
Last night, I dreamed about an illusionary situation that perfectly highlighted this issue. (Who said karma isn’t a thing?)
In my dream, I was delivering a workshop. Every few minutes, one of the participants would raise their hand and ask a question to expand upon a point I had just spoken about.
As a professional facilitator, I love creating dialogue in the classroom (whether face-to-face or virtually), so initially, I experienced this person as a healthy contributor to the conversation. But they kept repeating the behavior over and over again.
No Room Left
This person was the only participant in the workshop who asked anything. As they continued to “add to the conversation,” they very obviously prevented everyone else from wanting to speak up.
The disengagement of the rest of the room was palpable as this one individual continued to consume the available oxygen in the space.
Do you recognize this person in your life experience? I am sure you do. I could list several names from over the years.
What If It’s Me?
In earlier articles, we discussed the value of self-awareness, which occurs when we become self-aware of our attitudes or behaviors by observing ourselves from different perspectives.
Could “I” be that person in the room and not be aware of my behavior and its effect on others? Do I have social awareness?
What is Social Awareness?
It involves understanding and responding to others’ emotions. It’s foundational for building meaningful relationships and effectively navigating the complexities of our social world. Developing this facet of EI leads to personal and professional growth.
At its core, social awareness is the ability to perceive and interpret the emotions and needs of others accurately.
How Do We Cultivate Social Awareness?
You become attentive to nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, and understand the context of social interactions.
Social awareness isn’t just about recognizing what others are feeling; it’s also about comprehending why they feel that way and how those emotions impact their behavior.
Four Important Elements of Social Awareness
- Improved Relationships: Social awareness enhances our ability to connect with others more deeply. By understanding the emotions and perspectives of those around us, we can respond empathetically and build stronger, more trusting relationships. This attention is essential in personal and professional contexts, where effective communication and mutual understanding are key.
- Conflict Resolution: Misunderstandings and conflicts are inevitable in any social setting. However, social awareness equips us with the skills to navigate and resolve these conflicts constructively. By recognizing the underlying emotional triggers and addressing them appropriately, we can foster a more harmonious environment.
- Enhanced Teamwork: In professional settings, teams that function well together are more productive and innovative. Social awareness contributes to this by ensuring that team members feel heard and valued. It encourages open communication, collaboration, and a supportive atmosphere, which are critical for team success.
- Leadership: Effective leaders often exhibit high levels of social awareness. They are attuned to their team members’ needs and emotions, allowing them to provide the proper support and motivation. This will boost morale and drive performance and loyalty.
How To Develop Social Awareness
Developing social awareness is an ongoing process that requires us to be intentional with our efforts. I firmly believe we are not so clever that it will happen naturally. We have to work on it.
To that end, here are five strategies to help us all build this vital component of EI:
- Active Listening: Truly listening to others is a fundamental social awareness aspect. It involves giving your full attention, acknowledging their feelings, and responding thoughtfully. Practice active listening by summarizing what you’ve heard and asking clarifying questions.
- Observing Non-Verbal Cues: Much (almost 60%) of our communication is non-verbal. Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal signals to better understand others’ emotions, providing valuable insights that words alone might not convey.
- Practicing Empathy: George Thompson (the acknowledged author of the de-escalation technique, Verbal Judo) spoke about empathy being the most powerful word in the English language. When we use it, we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Make a conscious and intentional effort to understand another person’s perspective and feelings. You can achieve this by conversing with diverse groups of people and considering their viewpoints as you do.
- Seeking Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your social interactions to help identify areas for improvement and adjust your behavior accordingly. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as a tool for growth.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices like meditation can enhance your ability to stay present and aware during social interactions. This heightened awareness can improve sensitivity to others’ emotions and your overall social awareness.
A Valuable Social Awareness Tool You Can Use For Free
Anyone familiar with Living Leadership knows I continually refer to the Johari Window. I do that because I have seen the evidence over years of leading workshops where the participants practiced the Johari Window in class. The effect on personal relationships is powerful and rewarding.
Social awareness is a critical element of emotional intelligence that significantly impacts our interactions and relationships. By honing this skill, we can improve our communication, resolve conflicts more effectively, foster teamwork, and become better leaders.
Social awareness is paramount as we navigate an increasingly complex social landscape. Embrace the journey of developing this crucial aspect of EI, be intentional about it, and you’ll likely find that it profoundly enriches your personal and professional life.
What to Read
- Mindfulness Resource: The Mindful Society Global Institute https://www.mindfulinstitute.org/
- We Need To Talk: How to have conversations that matter: Celeste Hedley
- How to be Heard: Secrets for powerful speaking and listening: Julian Treasure
