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"Slow Down to Speed Up"


Your emotional intelligence (EQ) can help with those extremely high workload projects in multiple ways.


First, EQ can help you to better manage the inevitable stress and anxiety. When you are feeling stressed or anxious, it can be difficult to focus and make good decisions. EQ can help you to identify and manage your emotions so that you can stay calm and focused under pressure.


Second, EQ can help you to build strong relationships with your team members. When you have strong relationships with your team members, you are more likely to be able to collaborate effectively and get the job done. EQ can help you to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, and build trust with your team members.


Third, EQ can help you to be more self-aware. When you are self-aware, you are better able to understand your own strengths and weaknesses. This can help you to set realistic goals, make better decisions, and manage your time more effectively.


Finally, EQ can help you to be more motivated. When you are motivated, you are more likely to be able to persevere through difficult challenges and achieve your goals. EQ can help you to find meaning in your work, set challenging goals, and stay focused on your objectives.


Here are some specific tips for how to use EQ to manage extremely high workload projects:

  • Set realistic expectations. It is important to be realistic about what you can achieve in a given amount of time. Don't try to do too much, or you will just end up feeling overwhelmed.

  • Break down the project into smaller tasks. This will make the project seem less daunting and more manageable.

  • Prioritise your tasks. Not all tasks are created equal. Focus on the most important tasks first, and leave the less important tasks for later.

  • Delegate tasks. If you have the ability to delegate tasks, do it! This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important tasks.

  • Take breaks. It is important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it is just for a few minutes. This will help you to stay refreshed and focused.

  • Ask for help. If you are struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help from your team members or your manager.

How can PMs under pressure stay focused, collaborate effectively, stay realistic, and make good decisions?:

  • A PM with high self-awareness is much more likely to recognise they are feeling stressed about a deadline or are mindful of how their emotions might be affecting their interactions with others. This awareness allows them to take steps to manage that stress, such as taking a break, exercising, or talking to a friend.

  • A PM with high self-regulation is more able to resist the temptation to take a shortcut when developing a new plan. They know that taking the shortcut could lead to problems down the road, so they choose to take the time to do it right. Or they avoid saying or doing things that they might later regret. By resisting the temptation to take a shortcut response to the impulse, the PM can make a good decision that will benefit the project in the long run.

  • A PM with high motivation is better able to stay focused on the long-term vision for the project outcomes and deliverables, even when there are challenges along the way. They know that the project will not be successful overnight, so they are willing to put in the hard work to make it happen. By staying focused on the long-term results, the PM can make good decisions that will help the project achieve its objectives.

  • A PM with high empathy is able to understand the concerns of their customers, team members and stakeholders. This understanding helps them make decisions that are in the best interests of everyone involved. For example, a PM might decide to introduce phases and stages in order to address concerns that the deliverables are too complex for some stakeholders to absorb or a task is too challenging for struggling team member. By making this decision, the PM is showing empathy for their customers and stakeholders, and they are also making a good decision that will benefit the project in the long run.

  • A PM with high social skills can gather information from a variety of sources, including customers, stakeholders, and team members. This breadth of information helps them make informed decisions that are in the best interests of everyone involved. For example, a PM might decide to propose changes to the solution design for a new service deliverable after gathering feedback from customers. By making this decision, the PM is showing that they are willing to listen to feedback and that they are making decisions that are in the best interests of their customers.

Need Help developing your EQ for better Project Management performance and improved Project success? Engage Applied EQ Services for bespoke online coaching, mentoring and consultancy services.

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