How Does EQ Affect Interpersonal Communication?

Of all aspects of the workplace that technology has changed in recent years, the most important one might be the way we communicate interpersonally. For decades, business was conducted largely in person or on the phone. But the development of new technologies like email, texting, and video calls–turbocharged by the pandemic and the subsequent trend toward remote work–has radically shifted how we communicate. In this evolving landscape, understanding emotional intelligence in communication is more essential than ever for building strong workplace relationships.

What hasn’t shifted is the importance of effective interpersonal communication. It could even be argued that because less and less of our communication is done in person, effective communication is more important than ever. And regardless of what you use to communicate, emotional intelligence plays a key role in how effective that communication is.

In Interpersonal Communication, What Does the Term EQ Mean?

If you’ve spent time studying communication, you’ve probably heard the term interpersonal intelligence. This concept comes from developmental psychologist Howard Gardner’s 1983 theory of multiple intelligences, which argues that intelligence, rather than simply being a measure of IQ, is made up of at least eight different types of intelligence. He defines interpersonal intelligence, one of the types of intelligence, as the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations, and desires of others in order to interact effectively with others.

Gardner’s work came out before the term EQ existed, but it’s clear that his theory of interpersonal intelligence is closely aligned with the theory of emotional intelligence. Both focus on the idea that effective interaction and communication with others involves awareness and understanding of what is going on internally with ourselves and others. Communication goes much deeper than simply using the correct words or tones–it requires a fundamental understanding of what drives people’s behavior.

Emotional Intelligence in Communication

The main aspect of EQ that relates to interpersonal intelligence is social competence, which is the ability to understand other people’s moods, behaviors, and motives in order to improve the quality of your relationships. When we apply emotional intelligence in communication, we listen actively, regulate our emotions, and respond thoughtfully, leading to stronger connections and more effective teamwork.

Effective interpersonal communication starts long before any words come out of your mouth. It starts with listening to others, getting to know them personally, and gaining their trust by showing that you care about them beyond what they can do for you. Only once you understand someone personally can you know how to communicate effectively with them. And only when someone inherently trusts you will they truly listen to what you have to say to them.

The Importance of Communicating with Emotional Intelligence

Interpersonal communication skills aren’t just an added bonus in the workplace–they are essential for the success of individuals, teams, and organizations as a whole.

A survey from The Economist found that communication barriers in the workplace lead to delay or failure to complete projects, low morale, missed performance goals, and even lost sales. Translation: poor communication can cost a lot of money.

Meanwhile, research shows that group performance is predicated not on the average or maximum individual intelligence of group members, but rather on the average social sensitivity of group members, equality in distribution of conversational turn-taking, and the proportion of females in the group. Translation: EQ-based communication skills are the X factor for group success.

TalentSmartEQ’s 2025 State of Emotional Intelligence Report bolsters these findings with its survey results, which highlight collaboration, customer satisfaction, and engagement as top organizational priorities for 2025. All three of these elements hinge on communicating with emotional intelligence.

How to Use Emotional Intelligence in Communication

Now that we know the importance of EQ in interpersonal communication, here are some practical tips for communicating with emotional intelligence:

• Speak to groups as individuals. To speak effectively to a group, remember that it is made up of individuals. Skip the formal speech and seek to exude the same genuine emotion and intimacy you would in a one-on-one conversation. If everyone in the crowd feels like you are speaking directly to them, they will be more likely to listen to what you have to say.
• Talk so people will listen. Whether speaking to a group or an individual, be willing to adjust what you’re saying based on what your audience is ready to hear. Even a formal presentation can be a dialogue if you encourage engagement and invite questions from your listeners. People are much more likely to listen if they feel like they are a participant, not just an onlooker.
• Listen so people will talk. Remember that communication is a two-way street. When you’re in a conversation, don’t just wait to speak–give your full focus to the person talking, paying attention to body language and tone as well as words. Making a person feel heard can be just as impactful in communication as making sure you are heard.
• Connect emotionally. Especially if you’re a leader, you may be tempted to keep your emotions behind the curtain to maintain a sense of professionalism or authority. In reality, being vulnerable and letting others in on your emotions, desires, and motivations will build the connection and trust that will make people want to listen to you. Vulnerability and openness help build trust and foster meaningful dialogue–an important aspect of emotional intelligence in communication.
• Read body language. People communicate all the time, whether they are speaking or not. If you pay attention to body language–facial expressions, tense or relaxed muscles, crossed arms or a leaned-in body–you can gather plenty of information about what’s going on inside someone’s head when you are communicating with them. A helpful hint is to mirror body language in conversation whenever possible–it sends a subtle message of connection to the person you’re talking to.
• Prepare your intent. You’ve likely prepared or thought about the words you will say in dozens of conversations, but have you tried preparing your intent for the conversation instead? Words are only as effective as the goal they are trying to reach, so if you know the end-goal of your conversation, you can be prepared to shift what you say depending on how things actually play out.
• Skip the jargon. People can only handle so much “circling back” and “synergy” in everyday conversation. Business speak has its place, but use too much of it and you’ll seem insincere and unapproachable. Especially in one-on-one conversation, speaking to coworkers like you’d speak to a friend is much more connecting and persuasive.

If this feels like a lot to implement, try practicing one of these tips at a time. Once you feel comfortable with one, add the next, until they all start to come naturally. Over time, you’ll begin to reap the benefits of emotionally intelligent communication.

Enhance Your Interpersonal Communication Skills Through EQ Training

If you’re ready to start improving interpersonal communication in the workplace, TalentSmartEQ has the time-tested tools to help you reach your goals. Our client University of Nebraska Extension saw measurable results by implementing our assessments and Mastering EQ program to enhance communications and relationships within their organization and with the people they serve throughout Nebraska. Contact us to find out how to bring similar results to your organization.