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RELATIONSHIP INTELLIGENCE IN BUSINESS
© Belinda Gore, 2006

Relationship intelligence in business is the interpersonal dimension of emotional intelligence (EQ), a concept that includes

• the capacity for accurate self-awareness and appropriate self-management;
• the ability to effectively understand and build relationships with other people;
• the ability to translate those qualities into choices that lead to productive outcomes for the organization.

A growing body of research confirms that emotional competence is twice as important as I.Q. and expertise in achieving excellence in the workplace. It is not that intelligence, experience, and skills are unimportant but in a world in which many people are well-educated, bright, and have high levels of expertise, it is emotional intelligence that makes executives, managers, and team members outstanding.

Relationship intelligence gives business leaders the skills they need to communicate effectively throughout the organization, to manage conflict productively, and to engage the collective wisdom and skills of a work group to generate successful projects with fulfilled employees. The basic process includes several equally necessary abilities

• To have open inquiry and critique

• To confront conflict

• To advocate based on sound convictions

• To pursue shared goals and objectives

• To make decisions to produce sound solutions

• To follow through with action to make solid change

Here are a few suggestions about how to accomplish each step in the process:

1. To have open inquiry and critique

• Having open and frank team meetings.
• Asking difficult questions and accepting responses without judgment.
• Having an open door policy, making opportunities for dialogue

2. To confront conflict

• Make a practice of noticing tension and acknowledging it
• Identify and deal with conflict as soon as possible
• Practice calm, steady approach to the situation

3. To advocate based on sound convictions

• Clarify what you know about the situation
• Identify the facts and sources on which convictions are based
• Clarify what you are advocating and why

4. To pursue shared goals and objectives

• Identify team's most important goals and objections through brainstorming and voting
• Connect with each team member for input
• Share information regularly to support buy-in

5. To make decisions to produce sound solutions

• Clarify the problem as well as who framed the problem
• Identify possible solutions and evaluate each one based on desired outcomes
• Solicit input from those who will be effected by decision

6. To follow through with action to make solid change

• Identify goals, then objective, then tasks to support each objective
• Identify a timeline for all tasks
• Track on-time accomplishment of tasks

Knowledge of Enneagram personality styles gives business leaders the ability to tailor these strategies to meet the needs and harness the talents of each person with whom they work