Cultivating emotional intelligence in business education

Technical skills often dominate the conversations about employability in the business sector. However, one crucial competency tends to be overlooked: emotional intelligence. This characteristic plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also empathetic, self-aware and capable of managing relationships effectively. 

Why emotional intelligence matters in business education

As businesses become more global and interconnected, the role of emotional intelligence in the workplace has grown increasingly important. Companies are recognising that technical skills alone are not enough to drive success. The ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, lead with empathy and manage stress is equally crucial. Emotional intelligence is a foundational element of effective leadership and teamwork.

In business education, emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness and relationship management, all of which are indispensable in today’s collaborative environments. Students with strong emotional intelligence can handle business challenges, navigate difficult conversations, inspire teams and maintain composure under pressure. 

• Resource collection: Getting students workplace-ready
• Tried and tested ways to teach your students soft skills
• Strategies to train students in three transferable skills wanted by employers

1. Collaborative projects with emotional feedback

Assigning collaborative projects where students engage in structured feedback sessions focused on emotional responses helps them reflect on managing stress, responding to criticism and interacting effectively with peers.

For instance, after presenting a business proposal, students can participate in a debriefing session to discuss their emotional experiences. Educators can guide discussions with questions like, “How did you feel when your idea was challenged?” or “What strategies did you use to manage stress?” This encourages self-awareness and helps students develop emotional regulation strategies.

2. Viewing case studies with an emotional lens

By presenting case studies with ethical dilemmas or leadership challenges, educators encourage students to consider the emotional implications of business decisions.

For example, a case study might involve a company facing a public relations scandal. In this scenario, students must develop a response strategy while considering how their decisions affect stakeholders, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the human impact of business decisions.

3. Simulations and role-playing exercises

Simulations that place students in leadership roles or challenging scenarios are powerful tools for developing emotional intelligence. In these exercises, students might lead a team through a crisis or resolve a conflict, with debriefing sessions focusing on the emotional dynamics involved.

For example, in a simulation that requires students to lead a team through a challenging project, educators can prompt reflection on how students managed emotions and kept the team motivated. Questions such as, “How did you handle the stress of tight deadlines?”, among others, help students build emotional resilience.

4. Integrating emotional intelligence into classroom discussions

Integrating emotional intelligence into classroom discussions encourages students to explore the emotional aspects of business theories or current events. This could involve analysing the emotional motivations behind consumer behaviour or the role of empathy in customer service.

For example, an instructor could facilitate a discussion around a case study of a well-known brand, prompting students to analyse how emotions such as fear, happiness or nostalgia shape consumer decision-making. They could also encourage students to explore how advertisements leverage emotion to foster brand loyalty.

By making emotional intelligence a frequent discussion topic, teachers can make students aware of its importance to business decision-making. 

Assessing emotional intelligence in students

Assessing emotional intelligence can be challenging, but rubrics that measure self-awareness, empathy and emotional regulation provide effective feedback. Self-awareness rubrics can help determine if a student recognises and understands their emotions; empathy rubrics should assess how well a student notices and responds to others’ emotions; and emotional regulation rubrics should evaluate whether a student manages their emotions effectively in challenging situations. Employing these will ensure teachers can provide effective feedback on their emotional intelligence development. Sharing these rubrics and reflective practices at the start of the course helps students understand the importance of emotional intelligence and motivates them to develop these skills.

Integrating emotional intelligence into business education is essential for preparing students to thrive in a world where interpersonal skills are as important as technical expertise. By implementing strategies such as collaborative projects, emotionally focused case studies, simulations and discussions, educators can equip students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern business world.

Fostering emotional intelligence will be key to developing well-rounded leaders for tomorrow. By prioritising it in curricula, we ensure that students become competent professionals, empathetic individuals, and effective leaders who positively impact their organisations and communities.

Cecilia Primogerio is the education department coordinator, and Camila del Carril is a pedagogical adviser, both in the Faculty of Business Sciences at Universidad Austral, Argentina.

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