Managers are under increasing pressure to do more with less these days. When they’re feeling stressed, they are likely to give orders and be slower to think about change. Unfortunately, these conditions also result in managers not being emotionally intelligent when they interact with employees.

Being Emotionally Intelligent Requires Leaders to Avoid Toxic Word Choice

Our research shows that up to 32% of sales professionals have asked to change managers because they were dissatisfied. Some of this dissatisfaction might be linked to the way managers communicate. Using the right words at the right time makes a difference.

If you snap at an employee because you’re having a bad day, they will remember. And they’ll pull back, instead of being all in. These interactions are the exact opposite of how you should be doing your job.

Remember, as a manager, you should not use employees to further your own purpose in the organization. You should be helping each employee develop to the best of their potential. One way to do that is to choose your words carefully.

In his Forbes post, Jason Richmond points out the kinds of phrases that a boss might use when interacting with a team member. A leader may not realize the negative impact of a remark like, “No need to ask why; just do it.”

In a manager’s mind, this type of order contributes to the job getting done. In the employee’s mind, this kind of interaction devalues them. Not being allowed to ask a question is the same as being told their suggestions don’t matter.

Emotional Intelligence Requires Being Culturally Sensitive

Managers reduce toxicity in the workplace by showing their culturally sensitive side. In today’s workplace, it’s common to find employees of multiple background and cultures.

While being tasked with unifying employees to complete a project, managers sometimes overlook a key detail. We are not all alike outside of work. And in the workplace, sometimes those differences crop up.

An emotionally sensitive manager will not call out an employee who chooses to follow a vegetarian diet, for example. Being emotionally intelligent, they will make sure the vegetarian in the group has something to eat during a team meal.

Leaders Should Shape Positive Culture

In every organization, employees will establish a work culture. Usually, these cultures are positive, and employees support each other. The right kind of work culture builds loyalty and improves productivity.

On occasion, employees with toxic work behavior can negatively impact the work culture. In his article, Richmond cites survey data: “77% of workers grapple with some form of workplace toxicity… yet employers don't appear to be taking action to correct the problems.”

All too often, managers ignore or aren’t aware of these problems. Unfortunately, employees who find themselves in these situations usually leave.

Managers must address this kind of negativity right away. Interacting with everyone through positive words and actions demonstrates the behavior you expect. Being emotionally intelligent in these cases also means you may have to terminate a problem employee.

Using the Right Words Leads to Harmonious Work Environments

You have the opportunity to reinforce your expectations during your one-​on-​one meetings with team members. You want them to be productive and loyal employees. To get there, you should interact in ways that are best for each employee.

You may need to change your approach. Using a direct style of communication will work with some employees.

However, one or more of your team members may not respond well to that management style. How will you know?

You can study the results of their psychometric assessment to understand what works best. Some employees need a few minutes of conversation and even a compliment from you before getting down to business.

Leaders often forget that their words and actions set the tone in an organization.

Using the right words and phrases contributes to you being emotionally intelligent as a manager. When your actions support what you say, your employees will be grateful.

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