Ever walked into a meeting and instantly sensed the tension in the room? Or found yourself spiraling after one tough email too many?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is that often overlooked skill that helps us stay grounded, respond with intention, and connect with others—even under pressure. In the workplace, it’s not just helpful—it’s essential. Yet too often, EI gets labelled a “soft skill,” when in reality, it’s the backbone of effective teamwork, leadership, and communication.
That’s exactly why as part of our Stronger Together sessions we hosted a hands-on Emotional Intelligence workshop on May 29th. Led by Aaron Garner, from The Emotional Intelligence Academy (EIA), the session felt more like an honest, energizing conversation about what really happens when emotions show up at work. Aaron’s approach? No jargon. No fluff. Just science-backed insights and practical tools that made us all ask: Why isn’t this stuff talked about more often in the workplace?
What We Learned
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a nice-to-have.
“We talk about IQ all the time. But EQ—the emotional stuff—is what really shapes how we work with people,” Aaron said. He broke emotional intelligence down into four essential skills:
✅ Self-awareness – Recognising your own emotions and what sets them off
✅ Self-management – Choosing how to respond when things get tough
✅ Social awareness – Noticing what others might be feeling
✅ Relationship management – Handling interactions in ways that build trust
“This isn’t a checklist,” Aaron reminded us. “You’re doing all four of these, all the time.”
Real Talk: Emotions at Work
The most powerful part? People in the room shared what actually goes on in their heads at work—everything from stress and frustration to joy, purpose, and feeling completely overwhelmed.
“Honestly? I’m just really happy to be in this room, learning with everyone… but I’m also quietly freaking out about the 80 people I’m supposed to be supporting downstairs.” — someone who perfectly captured the emotional juggling act of modern work.
Aaron helped us reframe emotions—not as good or bad, but as constructive or destructive depending on how we respond.
“Anger can be useful. So can fear. It’s what you do with it that counts,” he said.
Practical Tools We Took Away
Aaron didn’t just talk theory—he gave us ways to use these insights right away:
🧠 Write it down – If you have an emotional moment at work, take 60 seconds afterwards to jot down what triggered it.
💨 Breathe (for real) – He taught us simple breathing patterns that can calm the nervous system in seconds.
🔄 Reframe it – Like one participant said: “If people want something from me, it probably means I’m doing something right.”
👀 Notice what’s not being said – Body language, tone of voice, and facial cues all matter.
🧳 “Everyone’s a bag” – “You don’t get to dig around in someone’s emotional ‘bag,’” Aaron explained. “But if you see something slip out, you can create space for them to talk.”
Emotional Intelligence in Action
Aaron and his team at The Emotional Intelligence Academy (EIA) have a wealth of resources available for anyone curious to explore this work more deeply.
Whether you want practical tools for your team, a deeper dive into the science, or just some thought-provoking conversations, here are a few great places to start:
🎧 The Equipped Podcast – The team at EIA group talk about emotional intelligence in real life, from leadership to mental health, to performance under pressure.
📚Tools & Articles – The EIA website is packed with practical guides, videos, and self-assessments designed to help individuals and teams build emotional strength.
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Explore more at: www.emotionalintelligence.academy
This workshop was just the beginning—the real growth happens when we take the learning back into our day-to-day lives and conversations.
E-Factor Assessment
Everyone who attended the workshop received free access to the E-Factor®, EIA Group’s powerful self-assessment tool designed to deepen your understanding of Emotional Intelligence. It offers insights into your strengths, highlights areas for growth, and provides practical, actionable feedback you can apply immediately.
As Aaron from EIA Group put it, “If you want to work better with others, this is where it starts.” If you’re curious to learn more about EIA Group’s assessments and courses—or to explore how you can develop your own Emotional Intelligence—visit their website here.
Final Thoughts
We all want to do great work and be part of teams where people get it. But none of that happens without emotional intelligence. It’s not a “soft skill”—it’s the skill that makes everything else work better.
So, if you’ve been putting emotional intelligence on the back burner, now’s the time to bring it front and centre. Because at the end of the day, it’s the human stuff that makes the real difference.
Sarah Taylor
Customer Experience Assistant
