Gen Y Rockstar Series: Katherine Larner

Emotional Intelligence Is the Key to Millennials’ Success

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has been crucial to my success as a millennial in business. EQ is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others. It’s an asset that I didn’t even name at first as it’s not as quantitative a skill as math or science, but I started to notice that the more people I emotionally connected with, the further it advanced me in my career.

I started in an entry-level role at my current company, and have been promoted every year for the last 5 years. Although hard work and luck play a part in my continued success, my EQ is really what has gotten me to where I am today, and is the most important skill for a millennial in today’s career-force to work on.

I’ll admit that I’m a naturally empathetic thinker; but it is also something that you can practice. Here are a few EQ pointers that have helped me get ahead that anyone can develop:

Create a Bond

Go out of your way to connect with people in your company that have qualities that you admire or that are in a role that you’d like to have one day. Ask them to lunch or coffee.  Your natural interest in them, and how they got to where they are, will often give you information and insight into how to advance to their level.  Encourage feedback they may have for you.

Study Someone’s Personality

It’s difficult when you’re interviewing to create a bond.  After all, it’s with someone you probably don’t know. If you want someone to hire you, try to get to know him or her the best you can prior to your interview. I would recommend going on LinkedIn/Google prior to the interview to study who the person is and what path they’ve taken to get where they are (prior companies, schools, activities, societies etc). This information will poise you to relate to the individual that is interviewing you. When comparing you later with an applicant who is equally qualified on paper, the hiring manager will go with the candidate with whom (s)he felt a more personal connection.

Recognize You’re Powerful

A lot of millenials have a feeling of inadequacy due to increasing social pressures and the speed at which today’s workplace moves as well as the number of qualified candidates in the market. It’s important to recognize that you have power, regardless of the position you hold, because you wouldn’t be in front of the interviewer or hold a position at your company if you weren’t a necessity. If you act confident in the power that you have (while still embracing modesty), people will take you more seriously.

Ask The Question!

So many millenials stay stagnant in their current positions because they aren’t comfortable asking for what they want (promotion, training etc.). Embrace the power I spoke about earlier and just ask the question. As long as it’s in a thoughtful and concise manner, you’ll notice that people respond very well when you put them in the position to help you because you’re making them feel invested in your success and they will go out of their way to assist you in getting what you want.

My ability to connect with others has propelled me ahead in my career.  More and more corporations are focused on social capabilities when hiring these days. I am handed resumes to look at daily for millennials hoping to get a job at the company I work at, and the first thing I ask myself is if the person is socially adept and capable, so make sure that you can answer YES!

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