What do you do if your emotional intelligence is lacking as an investment banker?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage your own and others' emotions, especially in stressful and complex situations. As an investment banker, you need EI to build rapport with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders, to handle high-pressure deals and deadlines, and to cope with the demands and challenges of your work environment. However, not everyone has a high level of EI, and some may struggle with expressing, regulating, or empathizing with emotions. If you feel that your EI is lacking as an investment banker, here are some steps you can take to improve it.

1 Assess your EI

The first step is to assess your current level of EI and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use self-assessment tools, such as online quizzes or questionnaires, to measure your EI skills and competencies. Alternatively, you can seek feedback from others, such as your manager, mentor, peers, or clients, to get an objective perspective on how you handle emotions at work. Be open and honest with yourself and others, and acknowledge the areas where you need to improve.

Add your perspective

T.R. Radhakrishnan

Banking & Management Consultant, H.R. Trainer NPA Resolution Expert
Report contribution
Emotion is more related to interpersonal relationship which in my opinion does not connect with taking decision and if taken, may mislead to take wrong decision particularly on investment. On the contrary extra sensory perception which is more popularly known as SIXTH SENSE is more connected with intuitional intelligence plays a more important role in any important decision-making process leading to mostly favourable decision particularly on investment matters. Intuitional intelligence helped me to take difficult decision proving favourable to me during my service period as bank manager.

Like
Matheus de Souza Barboza

E-commerce | Marketplaces | Finanças | Estratégia | Consultor | Conselheiro | C-level | Valuation
Report contribution
Autoconsciência: Comece desenvolvendo a capacidade de reconhecer e compreender suas próprias emoções. Preste atenção às suas reações emocionais diante de situações desafiadoras ou estressantes no ambiente de trabalho. Analise como essas emoções afetam sua tomada de decisão e seu desempenho. Pratique a autorreflexão regularmente para identificar padrões emocionais e áreas que precisam de melhoria.

Translated

Like
Vanshika Bhattacharya

Operation Analysis Analyst | Reference Data CDS at S&P Global
Report contribution
Cultivating a high EI is a quintessential skill for success in any profession. I have found that self-introspection and seeking feedback from others can be accounted as the best measures to assess one's EI level.

Like
Bishnu Das

AI/ML /Corporate Strategy, Product Strategy, Business Transformation, Senior Program Manager
Report contribution
If your emotional intelligence is lacking as an investment banker, then there must be 4 things professionals should do: 1. Self-Assessment - Try to find out where you're lacking, and the best way to find out is to observe yourself in different meetings where you've been invited. 2. Insight - This is an action item that you do post your self-assessment, therefore, start working slowly on self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, your domain knowledge, and most importantly social skills. 3. Training - Train yourself with your habits (refer to Atomic Habits by James Clear). 4. Usage - Lastly, use your insights, habits, learnings, etc., at the right place and time.

Like

2 Learn from others

The second step is to learn from others who have high EI and model their behaviors and attitudes. You can observe how they communicate, interact, and respond to emotions in different situations, and try to emulate their techniques and strategies. You can also ask them for advice, tips, or guidance on how to improve your EI skills, such as how to listen actively, express yourself clearly, manage stress, or resolve conflicts. You can also seek mentorship or coaching from someone who can help you develop your EI and support your growth.

Add your perspective

3 Practice your EI

The third step is to practice your EI skills regularly and consistently in your work and personal life. You can set specific and realistic goals for yourself, such as improving your emotional awareness, enhancing your emotional expression, or increasing your emotional regulation. You can also challenge yourself to apply your EI skills in different scenarios, such as pitching to a new client, negotiating with a counterparty, or giving feedback to a team member. You can also monitor your progress and evaluate your performance, and celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes.

Add your perspective

4 Seek feedback

The fourth step is to seek feedback on your EI skills from others and use it to improve further. You can ask for constructive and honest feedback from people who know you well and who can provide you with useful insights and suggestions. You can also solicit feedback from people who have different perspectives and backgrounds from you, and who can expose you to different emotional cues and responses. You can also use feedback tools, such as 360-degree feedback or performance reviews, to get a comprehensive and balanced view of your EI.

Add your perspective

5 Develop empathy

The fifth step is to develop empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy is a key component of EI, and it can help you build trust, rapport, and loyalty with your clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. To develop empathy, you need to be curious and interested in others, and try to see things from their point of view. You also need to be attentive and respectful, and listen to their needs, concerns, and expectations. You also need to be supportive and compassionate, and show them that you care and value them.

Add your perspective

Karanjeet Singh, ACA, CFA, MBA

Partner - Investment Banking | Instagram: _karrancy
Report contribution
Honestly, Emotional intelligence is an absolute must in investment banking as it combines sales, behavior and finance. An investment banker has to be emotionally mature and strong to handle the client who wants to raise or deploy a large sum of money. There is no other way.

Like

6 Keep learning

The sixth step is to keep learning and updating your EI skills, as they are not fixed or static, but can change and evolve over time. You can keep learning by reading books, articles, or blogs on EI and related topics, such as communication, leadership, or psychology. You can also keep learning by attending workshops, seminars, or courses on EI and how to apply it in your work context. You can also keep learning by joining networks, communities, or groups of people who share your interest and passion for EI and who can inspire and motivate you.

Add your perspective

Vanshika Bhattacharya

Operation Analysis Analyst | Reference Data CDS at S&P Global
Report contribution
As correctly stated in the introduction section. EI is a continuous learning process. It starts with self-introspection to identification of weaknesses, then mitigating them and translating them into strengths. After which playing it to your core strengths.

Like

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Matheus de Souza Barboza

E-commerce | Marketplaces | Finanças | Estratégia | Consultor | Conselheiro | C-level | Valuation
Report contribution
Desenvolvimento pessoal: Busque oportunidades de desenvolvimento pessoal que possam fortalecer sua inteligência emocional. Isso pode incluir a leitura de livros sobre o assunto, participação em workshops ou treinamentos específicos, ou até mesmo a busca de um coach ou mentor que possa ajudá-lo a desenvolver suas habilidades emocionais.

Translated

Like
Majid Ghanipour, CFA, CAIA

Investment Banking | M&A | Restructuring | PE | Due Diligence | Corporate Finance | Valuation | Fundrasing
Report contribution
When facing a deficiency in emotional intelligence as an investment banker, it is crucial to address this challenge proactively. Developing emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. To enhance emotional intelligence, one can engage in self-reflection to identify personal strengths and areas for improvement, seek feedback from colleagues or mentors, and participate in emotional intelligence training or workshops. Practicing active listening, considering perspectives different from one's own, and empathizing with colleagues and clients can also help strengthen emotional intelligence competencies.

Like
Enda Cusack

Irish 🇮🇪 Trader 📈 Entrepreneur 👨🏻💻 Creator💡
Report contribution
If you find yourself lacking emotional intelligence (EQ) as an investment banker, prioritize developing this skill to enhance client relationships and team dynamics. Start by engaging in training programs that focus on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Regularly participating in workshops or seminars on EQ can be beneficial. Additionally, consider personal assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to better understand your emotional behaviors and how they affect others. Integrating feedback from 360-degree reviews can also provide valuable insights into how your emotions impact your professional interactions.

Like

What do you do if your emotional intelligence is lacking as an investment banker?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your EI

2 Learn from others

3 Practice your EI

4 Seek feedback

5 Develop empathy

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Investment Banking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Investment Banking

More relevant reading