Signs Your Organisation Is Screaming For An Emotional Intelligence Glow Up
Apr 18
4 min read
In today’s workspaces, technical skills alone are no longer enough to drive meaningful success and a healthy working culture. An organisation’s true strength lies in its people and more importantly, in the way those people relate and communicate with one another. That’s where emotional intelligence (EQ) becomes not just a ‘nice to have’, but a must-have.
If your environment feels tense or a constant battleground of miscommunication, your organisation may be screaming - yes, screaming - for an emotional intelligence glow up!
Here are some of the most telling signs, and what they could mean for your team’s long-term performance and wellbeing.
Constant Conflict or Unresolved Tension Among Staff
If your team seems to be in a cycle of misunderstandings, or disagreements that rarely reach a resolution, it's not just a communication issue. It’s a sign of low emotional intelligence.
Why this matters:
Emotionally intelligent individuals have the self-awareness to recognise their own triggers, the empathy to understand others’ perspectives, and the social skills to de-escalate tension.
When those skills are lacking at a team or organisational level, the result is often:
Frequent misinterpretations of tone or intent
Passive-aggressive behaviour
Gossip replacing honest conversation
What starts as a minor disagreement can spiral into a pattern of toxic interactions if staff don’t have the tools, or feel safe enough to speak up, listen actively and resolve conflict as soon as possible.
What a Glow Up could look like:
With targeted emotional intelligence development, your staff learn to navigate conflict with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Conflict becomes a space for growth, not destruction as people begin to understand that disagreement doesn't mean disrespect. But rather see it as an opportunity to build better understanding.
A Culture That Doesn’t Support Safe, Open Communication
Does your organisation claim to value transparency, yet staff shy away from offering feedback, admitting mistakes, or asking for help? That gap between stated values and lived experiences can be a serious red flag.
Why this matters:
A psychologically safe workplace is one where individuals feel comfortable speaking up without fear of embarrassment, punishment, or being ignored.
When safety is absent, people:
Hide problems until they become crises
Nod in meetings but express concerns behind closed doors
Avoid feedback (giving or receiving), stalling personal and team growth
Low EQ cultures often prioritise performance over people, until both begin to suffer.
What a Glow Up could look like:
By investing in emotional intelligence, especially among leaders, your organisation can cultivate an environment where vulnerability isn’t seen as weakness but as a gateway to innovation and trust. Staff begin to feel seen and heard, creating space for more honest, inclusive, and impactful conversations. Feedback then becomes fuel for growth, not a trigger for shame.
A Lack of Trust and Inauthentic Relationships
Trust is the currency of an effective team. Without it, collaboration feels forced, leadership feels distant, and relationships feel transactional at best.
Why this matters:
When interpersonal relationships lack authenticity, it’s often because people don’t feel emotionally safe enough to bring their whole selves to work. This leads to:
Surface-level interactions and poor engagement
Resistance to collaboration or knowledge sharing
High turnover and poor retention
Trust isn’t just about reliability, it’s about emotional connection. When emotional intelligence is low, people are less likely to empathise, communicate authentically, or assume good intent. The result? A culture of suspicion and emotional fatigue.
What a Glow Up could look like:
An emotionally intelligent team doesn’t just work well together, they trust, respect, and care about one another. They know how to build rapport, resolve issues with compassion, and support each other through challenges. Relationships start to feel more human and less transactional. A powerful connection that drives both performance and wellbeing.
So, What’s the Cost of Ignoring These Signs?
Organisations that neglect emotional intelligence often face hidden but significant costs:
Burnout and absenteeism is a regular occurrence as constant emotional labour without emotional support takes a toll.
The best people don’t just leave bad jobs, they leave emotionally unhealthy cultures. The consequence always falls on the organisation, as this is how they lose top talent.
It can result in a poor customer experience. If your staff can’t regulate emotions, empathise, or communicate clearly, that shows up in every customer interaction.
The good news? This is something we can help with! We are specialists in helping your organisation achieve their EQ Glow Up! Because guess what? Emotional intelligence isn’t fixed. It can be developed and strengthened at every level of your organisation. And it starts with small, intentional steps.
A glowing, emotionally intelligent workplace isn’t one without conflict, it’s one where conflict is managed with care. It’s not a place where everyone always agrees, but where people feel safe enough to disagree and still feel connected. It’s not just about creating happier teams (although that’s a great outcome), it’s about building resilient, connected, and high-performing organisations where people want to show up and do their best work.
So if your workplace is starting to feel tense, disconnected, or emotionally dry, it might be time to pause and ask:
"Is our organisation due for an emotional intelligence glow up?”
Ready to transform your workplace culture with emotional intelligence? At The EQi Glow, we help teams and leaders harness the power of EQ to build better relationships, increase performance, and lead with heart. Connect with us and let’s talk about how we can support your journey.
Let us be the glow up you need!