Top Habits That Help Emotionally Intelligent People Build Trust

Emotional intelligence is a key lifestyle skill that all of us should develop. It is the ability to accurately perceive both your own and other people’s emotions. Many of us believe that it is an inborn skill that is possessed only by a few individuals. But the truth is it can be learnt and developed by anyone in this world.

In fact, there are certain clearcut principles that are being consistently followed by those who are emotionally intelligent. By understanding and implementing these concepts in our lives, we can also become emotionally intelligent slowly, but surely.
Unnecessary complications occur in our lives when we are not directly communicating our needs and intentions. We trust those who communicate their ideas, beliefs and perspectives. These inner elements are the truths that constitute the character of a person. To be able to trust, we need to understand the inner world of an individual.
Hence, emotionally intelligent people express their wants and boundaries clearly. They are transparent about their intentions and explicit about expectations. What happens is, when people start comprehending where someone stands, they don’t feel the pressure of wasting their cognitive energy by making guesses. This psychological feeling of safety increases trust irrespective of the fact that the relationship is professional or personal.
Human beings are bound to commit mistakes. We are not perfect. Thus, emotionally intelligent people realise the truth that trust is not a fragile binary like most individuals believe. According to the masses, once trust is broken, it is gone forever and can never be repaired. However, trust is a dynamic system that can strengthen even after being weakened. It is capable of recalibrating over time.

According to research, three actions can help us rebuild a broken trust. These actions are very effective when applied in this order:

1. Acknowledgement of the mistake.
2. Explanation
3. Sincere and consistent corrective steps

For example, if you failed to submit an assignment that was provided by your employer, the trust in your relationship can get harmed. But, if you directly and sincerely acknowledge the harm, give the true reason for it and quickly start working on corrective actions, the trust will start to regrow.

In short, an emotionally intelligent person takes full responsibility without defending themselves first, explain instead of shifting the blame onto someone else and adjusts their steps forward without being constantly prompted.

Emotionally intelligent people clearly know the difference between emotion and impulsion. When someone breaks their boundaries, they will pause for a moment. They will take a few deep breaths and observe the emotions that are rising within them. Once these emotional waves have subsided, they will take actions with a balanced frame of mind. They know that right balance lies in the middle of suppression and emotional reflux.

Finding this balance might not be easy in the beginning, but with constant practice you can become good at it. Engaging in meditation, breathing exercises or yoga will help your mind calm down and also to achieve better emotion regulation skills.

Even though trust is something that can recalibrate through efforts, it should be noted that continual breach of trust is a red flag. If someone gives you their word and breaks it multiple times, realise that this is the time for you to pause and think about the relationship.

Emotionally intelligent people makes it a rule to observe their relationships with the goal of psychological reciprocity. That is, they make sure that the respect, energy and emotions that they invest in a relationship is reciprocated. When a relational asymmetry is found or this balance is disturbed, they will take a step back. The core philosophy behind this concept is the idea that you own needs and wellbeing are as important as the wellbeing of your loved ones.

These are 4 key habits that are followed by people who are emotionally intelligent. By continuously implementing these in their lives, they find true balance, boundaries, connections and peace. Therefore, why wait another moment? Take one of these ideas and implement it in your life today itself and experience how your interpersonal relationships become better in every way.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the strongest indicator of emotional intelligence?The strongest indicator of emotional intelligence is self awareness. This is the ability to recognise both one's own and others' emotions.
2. What are some signs of low emotional intelligence?Some key signs of low emotional intelligence include difficulty accepting criticism, poor self-awareness, a tendency to blame others, and a lack of empathy.
3. What is the 6 second rule for emotional intelligence?The 6 second rule tells us to pause for 6 seconds before reacting in any situation to attain mental clarity and emotional balance.