Last updated on Mar 12, 2024

What do you do if your sustainability career lacks emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage your own and others' emotions, and to use them effectively in various situations. EI is crucial for any career, but especially for sustainability professionals who often deal with complex, uncertain, and ethical issues that require empathy, collaboration, and communication. If you feel that your sustainability career lacks EI, don't worry. You can learn and improve your EI skills with some simple steps.

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1 Assess your EI level

The first step is to honestly evaluate your current EI level and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use self-assessment tools, such as online quizzes, surveys, or journals, to measure your EI competencies, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. You can also ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, or mentors, and listen to their perspectives on how you handle emotions at work.

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Anurag Awasthi

Driving Innovation@Techspian | Technology Consulting | Public Speaker | Sustainability X Inclusion X Technology|
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Before assessing your EI level through defined sources, practice a simple exercise. Throughout the day, take a moment to identify and examine your emotions in a conscious manner. Assess if you are feeling energised, frustrated, or anxious? Simply recognising your emotions is a first step to managing them. Body Scan Meditation: Focus on different parts of your body and notice any physical sensations associated with emotions. Is your jaw clenched when stressed? This can help you identify emotional cues. Try the Seed exercise mentioned in "The Pilgrimage" by Paulo Coelho.

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2 Set your EI goals

The next step is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for improving your EI skills. For example, you might want to improve your empathy by listening more actively to your stakeholders, or your self-regulation by managing your stress levels better. You should also identify the benefits of achieving your EI goals, such as enhancing your performance, relationships, or well-being.

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3 Practice your EI skills

The third step is to practice your EI skills regularly and consistently, and to monitor your progress and results. You can use various methods to practice your EI skills, such as reading books, articles, or blogs on EI, taking courses or workshops, joining online or offline communities, or finding a coach or mentor. You should also seek feedback from others and reflect on your actions and outcomes.

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4 Apply your EI skills

The fourth step is to apply your EI skills in your sustainability projects and tasks, and to adapt to different situations and challenges. You can use your EI skills to enhance your sustainability competencies, such as systems thinking, innovation, stakeholder engagement, or leadership. You should also use your EI skills to cope with the emotional demands and impacts of working in sustainability, such as compassion fatigue, burnout, or eco-anxiety.

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Christina T.

Leading Boulder County's Sustainable Workforce Development | Environmental Scientist & Organizational Systems PhD
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One mistake I often see in the sustainability field is professionals wanting to teach their customers or employees how to do something. Yes, you may be an expert in sustainability, but I recommend turning the tables and learning (aka listening) from stakeholders. Allow stakeholders to have their say and actively ask for their input and ideas. What sustainability challenges are they facing? How have they implemented sustainable actions in their personal life? Let them share their own stories – rather than telling them yours. After balancing listening and seeing what your stakeholder needs, then be the expert as you help make the connection between their needs and how you can help them on their sustainability journey.

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5 Review your EI skills

The fifth step is to review your EI skills periodically and evaluate your achievements and areas for improvement. You can use self-evaluation tools, such as checklists, scales, or portfolios, to measure your EI outcomes, such as satisfaction, productivity, or impact. You can also compare your results with your initial goals and feedback, and celebrate your successes and learn from your mistakes.

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6 Keep learning and growing

The final step is to keep learning and growing your EI skills throughout your sustainability career, and to embrace a growth mindset that believes in your potential and ability to change. You can keep updating your EI knowledge and skills by following the latest research, trends, or best practices in EI and sustainability. You can also keep challenging yourself and seeking new opportunities to apply and expand your EI skills in different contexts and scenarios.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your sustainability career lacks emotional intelligence?

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1 Assess your EI level

2 Set your EI goals

3 Practice your EI skills

4 Apply your EI skills

5 Review your EI skills

6 Keep learning and growing

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainability

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What do you do if your sustainability career lacks emotional intelligence?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your EI level

2 Set your EI goals

3 Practice your EI skills

4 Apply your EI skills

5 Review your EI skills

6 Keep learning and growing

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainability

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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