Workplace changes have placed new pressures on how we communicate. It is important to find ways to deconstruct those pressures in a positive, deliberate manner to help improve your virtual relationships and work environment. Improving our emotional intelligence is key.

As we continue to grow and adapt to working remotely (and with the additional challenge of masks when face to face), emotional intelligence can feel elusive but that is what makes it so critical. Emotional Intelligence is most commonly defined as the ability to 1) recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, 2) perceive and influence the emotions of others, and 3) cope with challenges, manage stress, and make decisions. In more practical terms, it means being aware of how our emotions can drive our behavior and impact people (both positively and negatively).

Virtual negotiations have been on the rise since the advancement of technology in the workplace. But with COVID-19 forcing business and other operations to scramble for at-home solutions, online negotiations increased by the tenfold. Technology, with all of its conveniences, can also complicate things during a negotiation.

With all of its challenges, virtual negotiations also come with its advantages. The distance can create a greater chance of a win-win. If the other party is perceived to be far away (by several thousand feet), perspective changes to encompass the needs of the bigger picture. Here are some tips to improve your performance in your next virtual negotiation!

The worst mistake you can make on LinkedIn is to “connect” with a person and not do anything further. Have you noticed that LinkedIn encourages you to start a conversation with new connections?