Emotional Intelligence & Professional Performance Understanding and managing emotions is key to better communication and collaboration Presented by: Sarra MECHI Computer Engineering Student at UIK University (University of Ibn Khaldoun) Tunis Plan 01 02 03 04 05 06 Introduction Conceptual Framework Application in Business Mini Exercise Openness and Recommendations References 01 Introduction Human beings have always tried to understand why logic alone cannot explain our choices, our relationships, or our failures. Between what we think and what we feel, there is another form of intelligence. Even in the professional world, especially in IT, success is not based only on technical skills, but also on how we communicate, work with others, and handle pressure. Success = Rational Intelligence + ? Emotion Vs Intelligence Emotion? “It is a complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioral, and physiological elements.” Intelligence? “Intelligence refers to individual differences in ability to understand complex ideas, adapt effectively to the environment, learn from experience, and engage in various forms of reasoning.” 02 Conceptual framework What’s emotional intelligence (EI)? “EI is defined as the capacity for recognising our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well in us and in our relationships.” EI is built on five pillars: Self-awareness Self-regulation Empathy Motivation Social skills Key concepts in a simple way Self-regulation Self-awareness Recognizing one’s emotions in real time controlling impulsive reactions Emotional communicationeness Empathy expressing oneself without aggression understanding others’ emotions Motivation Keep being passionate Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Professional Communication Teamwork (developers, project managers, clients) Leadership et crédibilité professionnelle Conflict management and technical disagreements Clear communication under stress (deadlines, bugs, incidents) Strong emotional intelligence improves work quality and the professional climate. 03 Application in Business Simplified theoretical model Emotion Reaction Professional impact Exemple Stress Aggressive response Team conflict Stress Pause and reflection Constructive dialogue Managing stress and pressure in the workplace Common sources of stress in IT: Tight deadlines Critical system failures High mental workload Client demands Goal of EI: Turn stress into productive energy. Managing stress during tight deadlines Communicating calmly during conflicts Giving and receiving feedback professionally Maintaining motivation under pressure Professional Case (IT Context) Case: A software engineer faces a critical system bug just before delivery. With emotional intelligence: Stays calm Analyzes the situation objectively Communicates clearly with the team Finds a solution efficiently This leads to better performance and teamwork. 04 Mini Exercise Practical Case: Someone criticizes your work unfairly 01 03 Pause (Interrupt the automatic reaction) 3–5 seconds Do nothing immediately Take one slow breath => This prevents emotional hijacking (Goleman) → you feel anger, hurt, tension. 02 → 04 Identify the trigger (Cognitive appraisal) Ask: What exactly triggered this emotion? “I interpreted this comment as disrespect.” => Emotions come from interpretation, not the event itself. → Name the emotion (Self-awareness) Ask yourself silently: What am I feeling? “I feel angry and hurt.” => Naming emotions reduces intensity (emotion labeling) Regulate the body (Physiological control) Relax shoulders Slow breathing (4 seconds in, 6 seconds out) => Calm the body mind follows (James–Lange principle) → 05 Reframe the thought Replace: “They’re attacking me” with: “This may be poorly expressed feedback.” =>This changes emotional intensity, not reality denial 07 Pause 06 Choose a conscious response (Self-regulation) Instead of reacting emotionally: Say calmly: “Can you clarify what you think could be improved?” => Emotion guides behavior, but does not control it Reflect after (Learning loop) Later ask: What did I feel? What worked? What will I do next time? => Emotional intelligence grows through reflection → Name → Understand → Regulate → Choose → Reflect 05 Recommendations As a computer engineer, it’s important to contribute to a healthy working environment by: Take a pause before reacting emotionally Practice active listening Express emotions respectfully Manage stress through organization and self-control Combine technical skills with emotional intelligence Develop communication and teamwork abilities Learn from feedback instead of reacting defensively Emotional intelligence is a long-term professional asset 05 REFERENCES 01 Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence 02 Salovey, P. & Mayer, J. (1990). Emotional Intelligence 03 Gardner, H. (1983). Multiple Intelligences 04 Article on emotional intelligence in business and IT environments: https://www.academia.edu/4226477/Emo tional_Intelligence_History_of_Emotional _Intelligence?sm=b&rhid=37250142517 Thank You