Employers are increasingly searching for employees who can manage their relationships at work in addition to completing professional obligations.

Employees are taught to highlight their technical expertise and individual accomplishments on their resumes and during job interviews. However, a completely different skill set is emerging as being necessary to succeed at work, whether on your own or as a member of a team. Leaders are becoming more and more interested in emotional intelligence, or “EQ.” This set of skills entails our capacity to comprehend and control both our own and other people’s emotions, as well as how to apply this understanding to forge rewarding relationships. According to The Human Moment author and adjunct professor of management and leadership at Hult International Business School in Massachusetts, Amy Bradley, it is exceedingly challenging to complete tasks effectively and sustainably if you are unable to control your own and others’ emotions. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is what enables you to be successful in your profession, be promoted, and do well at work, according to Mark Craemer, a US-based organization-development consultant, leadership coach, and author of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace.

Working emotionally intelligently generally entails adopting a new strategy. It entails placing human relationships and our own and others’ feelings first rather than focusing on our to-do lists or productivity goals. Although it could be difficult to change one’s thinking, the rewards could be tremendous, enhancing one’s morale, productivity, well-being, and personal influence—all qualities that employers today more than ever want.