Emotional Intelligence for Managers - Canberra

Emotional Intelligence for Managers - Canberra

You know that feeling when you're in a team meeting and you can sense the tension building, but you're not quite sure how to address it? Or when one of your team members seems completely disengaged, but every conversation you try to have with them just makes things worse? If you're nodding along, you're definitely not alone. Managing people isn't just about hitting targets and following processes - it's about understanding what makes people tick, and that's where most of us weren't exactly given a handbook.

Here's the thing about emotional intelligence - it's not some fluffy concept that looks good on a LinkedIn post. It's actually the difference between being a manager people want to work for versus one they're trying to escape from. Think about the best boss you've ever had. I bet they didn't just tell you what to do; they somehow knew when you were struggling, when you needed a push, and when you just needed someone to listen. That's emotional intelligence in action, and the good news is you can absolutely develop it.

In this training, we'll tackle the real stuff that happens in workplaces every day. Like how to have that conversation with the team member who's clearly going through something personal without overstepping boundaries. Or how to give feedback that actually motivates instead of deflates. We'll also cover how to manage your own emotions when everything's hitting the fan - because let's face it, if you're losing it, your team's going to pick up on that energy pretty quickly.

You'll learn practical techniques for reading the room better, understanding what's really going on beneath the surface when someone says "everything's fine" but their body language is screaming otherwise. We'll practice managing workplace anxiety - both yours and your team's - because anxious people don't do their best work, and anxious managers definitely don't bring out the best in others.

What You'll Learn

How to actually listen (not just wait for your turn to talk) and pick up on the emotional cues people are giving you
Practical ways to give feedback that doesn't crush people's spirits but still gets the message across
Techniques for managing your own stress and emotions so you don't accidentally take it out on your team
How to have those awkward but necessary conversations about performance, behaviour, or personal issues affecting work
Strategies for building trust with different personality types - because what works for one person definitely doesn't work for everyone
Ways to create a team environment where people feel safe to speak up, make mistakes, and actually engage with their work
How to deal with conflict resolution situations before they blow up into major dramas

The Bottom Line

This isn't about becoming a workplace therapist or trying to be everyone's best friend. It's about developing the skills to connect with people in a way that makes work better for everyone. When you understand how emotions drive behaviour - both yours and others' - you can prevent most of the common workplace dramas before they even start. You'll spend less time putting out fires and more time actually getting things done. Plus, people will actually want to work with you, which makes everything easier. Whether you're new to management or you've been doing it for years but feel like you're missing something, this training will give you practical tools you can use immediately.