Why is social intelligence important?

The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard) requires leaders to be competent to manage, lead and supervise workers in a way that is psychologically safe. One of the core aspects of psychologically safe leadership relates to social intelligence, which at its core involves self- and other-awareness.

What is social intelligence?

Effective social intelligence involves demonstrating and facilitating supportive, safe and inclusive interactions in the workplace, particularly during times of stress or high demand.

Why is social intelligence important?

There are many benefits to having people leaders effectively trained in social intelligence:

  • Stressors and challenges at work do not have to necessarily lead to absence when effectively addressed and managed.
  • Workers with mental health difficulties will reach out earlier for help and assistance.
  • Workers are more likely to demonstrate civility and respect with coworkers, customers and clients alike.
  • Productivity can be maintained and even enhanced during times of high demand.
  • Worker engagement and satisfaction is enhanced.

So, how do leaders enhance their social intelligence and improve their interactions with workers?

  1. Act as a role model. This is especially important during times of high work stress. Remain positive and keep team members motivated and engaged during times of high work stress.
  2. Promote psychologically healthy and safe interactions among and between team members, as well as between the leader themselves and others.
  3. Strive to make the workplace an open and accepting environment for all individuals, especially for those who are marginalized and vulnerable.
  4. Support those who may be struggling with mental health issues, and offer helpful resources.
  5. Work on being comfortable with workers asking for support with personal or emotional problems, as well as make team members feel comfortable bringing up those issues as they arise. Supporting workers through these problems can help them continue to be productive in the workplace.

Consider your individual and organizational strengths with respect to social intelligence – and steps that can be taken to enhance it.

Social intelligence is a key aspect of psychologically safe leadership from the Psychologically Safe Leadership Assessment (PSLA), an assessment tool developed by Dr. Joti Samra, MyWorkplaceHealth’s CEO & Founder, made for leaders to self-assess how they fare across five key domains of leadership, which align with the requirements of the CSA National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. These five domains are: communication and collaboration; social intelligence; problem solving and conflict management; security and safety; and fairness and integrity.