The work of an information technology worker can be as arduous to them as it is integral to their business. In today's world of commerce there is a lot of pressure to be bigger, faster, and more efficient than existing and incipient competition. Unfortunately, this kind of intensity invites stress and anxiety into the world of the worker. All people, including leading executives, have become more aware of the trials of the workforce, but it is most important for individual workers to understand themselves and their positions.

Psychology has engineered the term 'Emotional Intelligence' to encompass the acumen of 'knowing thy self.' This is very important for information technology workers because of the abundance of interaction with others they have either directly or through a computer-generated medium. IT workers were once sentenced to labor behind the keyboard and screen conducting technical and operational tasks, but the business has changed and the role of the IT worker has followed suit.

The Problem

This evolved state of industry can usher in emotional issues for the IT workers. These problems will go undetected by both the worker and the business that they work for. These anxieties fester until they culminate into full-blown 'burnout.' The end result is lower productivity and a stymied sense of their value from their boss.

With a little bit of self-understanding and awareness from bosses and coworkers, the existence of burnout can be eradicated.

The Solution

Emotional Intelligence is the awareness of yourself, others, and the world around you. It can be personified in being empathetic, exhibiting temperance, accepting of change, and maintaining optimism in stressful times. These virtues need to be applied to all facets of a person's life, but especially at work where it is more likely that trying times will occur.


In the information technology industry, Emotional Intelligence is relevant in relation to the ongoing correspondence that workers have with clients and co-workers. IT workers also have to be astute to their own feelings in relation to the job. There is a stereotype of workers being very introverted and being one keystroke away from exploding at the next computer glitch. Becoming aware of your own feelings and that of those around you will assuage any stress or anxiety that may arise.

IT workers may need to converse with irate clients who are frustrated to begin with. An emotionally aware IT worker will realize that it is the situation the person is angry about and will not take it personally and get themselves 'worked up.' They will realize that frustration can happen very easily (especially when it comes to working with computers that you cannot conventionally communicate with) and will take all the precautions necessary to diffuse the situation.

Good for Everyone and Everything

A very business-like person may feel the need to forego the 'wishy-washy' need to be in tune with one's feelings, but Emotional Intelligence (or lack there of) effects the bottom line of businesses. The ambience of the workplace has a direct effect on performance covertly if not overtly. Missed deadlines, project failures, and a large turnover rate can all be related to poor Emotional Intelligence.


The good news is you can choose to pay attention to this area at any time. Having psychological profiles conducted on information technology workers to optimally match them with an area of IT work is a suggestion. Running or sending employees to workshops to better procure their 'soft skill' is also another way to increase Emotional Intelligence.