Effective communication is powered by a high level of emotional intelligence. According to researchers, those individuals with high emotional intelligence tend to have the following characteristics: They are not impulsive or hasty, but consider circumstances, reason, and emotion carefully before acting or speaking. They are consistently conscious of their own emotional state. They can regulate their own emotions to avoid undesired actions or commentary. They can easily identify what someone else is feeling and adjust their thinking and behavior accordingly. Based on these underlying characteristics, author Jeff Steen formulated these short phrases to help communication be more emotionally intelligent. Considering Circumstances: Let me think about that and get back to you. Conscious of Your Emotional State: I’m a little worked up right now. I may need a minute to calm down. Regulating Emotions: I’m going to take a breather. It will help me clear my head. Detecting Other’s Feelings: It seems like you’re happy/upset/angry/etc. about something. Can you tell me what you’re thinking/feeling before we move forward? The holiday season is packed with stress, emotions, and challenging circumstances and thoughtful communication is the foundation for connecting with those you lead. But great connections don’t just happen—they’re infused with the emotional intelligence of great communicators.