Construction sites can be intense environments. The work is highly technical, physically demanding, and even dangerous at times. When combined with tight deadlines and complex projects, the atmosphere can quickly become stressful.
This is exactly why the concept of emotional intelligence in construction might seem out of place— especially because it’s often mistakenly associated with being overly emotional or weak, traits that are typically dismissed in the industry.
But emotional intelligence isn’t about being more emotional.
It’s about recognizing and managing your emotions and responding thoughtfully rather than impulsively in high-pressure situations.
Strong emotions are common on job sites. I’ve seen everything from angry outbursts by project managers to fights between trades. These intense emotions are disruptive and can lead to mistakes, delays, and safety hazards.
Emotional intelligence helps prevent these scenarios by promoting self-management and more intentional reactions under stress. The construction industry would greatly benefit from embracing emotional intelligence and leveraging its advantages for better outcomes.
As construction consultant and emotional intelligence expert, Wally Adamchik puts it, having strong emotional intelligence means you “make emotions work for you instead of against you.”
In this post, we’ll explore exactly what emotional intelligence is and how it can benefit the construction industry.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
First, let’s debunk some common misconceptions about emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is NOT about:
- Suppressing emotions
- Being overly emotional
- Niceness
- Lowering standards
- Coddling people
Now, let’s define what it is. Emotional intelligence, sometimes referred to as EQ (emotional quotient), is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, while also recognizing and influencing the emotions of others.
Being emotionally intelligent requires you to look inward and identify your emotional triggers— what sparks anger, resentment, joy, etc.— so that when emotions arise, you can keep them in check and remain professional.
When you become skilled at identifying your emotions, you’ll be better equipped to respond productively and appropriately, ensuring your tone, body language, and word choice align with your intentions.
Self-awareness is key here. According to the Harvard Business Review, 95% of people believe they’re self-aware, but in reality, only 10-15% truly are. With statistics like that, it’s clear that most of us could benefit from taking a deeper look inward.
As Adamchik puts it, emotional intelligence requires you to earn a “PhD in yourself.” By identifying your blind spots and understanding what makes you tick, you’ll become better at noticing how you interact with others. This self-awareness helps you build stronger relationships, which is essential in construction.
Why Does Emotional Intelligence Matter in Construction?
To understand the importance of emotional intelligence in construction, let’s explore some characteristics of emotionally unintelligent individuals. According to the Harvard Business School, people with low EQ often display the following behavior:
- Strained conversations
- A tendency to blame others when projects don’t go as planned
- Frequent emotional outbursts
Unfortunately, these characteristics are relatively common in the world of construction, particularly during high-pressure situations.
In an industry that relies heavily on collaboration and coordination between multiple teams and trades, these types of behavior can derail an entire project. This is why practicing emotional intelligence is so important.
How To Apply Emotional Intelligence on the Job Site
We’ve discussed why emotional intelligence in construction matters, but how do you practically apply these skills on a job site? Here are some actionable tips:
1. Practice Active Listening
Open dialogue is key to maintaining harmony on the job site. While speaking is important, active listening is essential. Make an effort to truly hear and understand what others are saying, rather than waiting for your turn to speak. This can help prevent miscommunication, de-escalate tensions, and foster collaboration. When everyone feels heard, solutions are easier to find.
2. Self-Regulate in Stressful Situations
Construction is filled with high-pressure moments, and it can be tempting to shift blame when things go wrong. However, this approach destroys trust and damages team morale. Instead, practice self-regulation. When challenges arise, take a moment to pause and breathe before reacting. Staying calm helps you communicate more effectively and keeps the focus on solving the problem, rather than assigning blame.
3. Create a Positive Work Environment
A positive attitude goes a long way in creating a more enjoyable and productive job site. Be friendly and respectful to everyone, regardless of their role. At PDI Drywall, we prioritize respect and teamwork. Instead of back-charging other trades for mistakes, we often fix issues at no cost. This gesture is almost always reciprocated and strengthens relationships, helping projects stay on track.
Teaching Emotional Intelligence on an Oil Rig
I once listened to a podcast that really stuck with me. It was about a massive Shell oil rig, the size of a city block, floating in the middle of the ocean. The work on the rig was notoriously dangerous and the culture was hyper-masculine.
To improve the environment, a leadership coach was brought in to teach emotional intelligence to the workers. Through training sessions, these men learned to open up, express their feelings, and talk about past and present struggles. They learned how to talk to each other and how to be vulnerable.
The results were remarkable.
After the emotional intelligence training, safety and productivity on the rig improved significantly. Accident rates dropped by 84%, and productivity surpassed the industry’s previous benchmarks.
The podcast host explained, “It wasn’t just feelings that were being passed back and forth, but information, technical information that helps a platform run smoothly and safely.” After their training, workers felt more comfortable communicating openly, including when they needed help. One of the oil riggers even said, “I’m glad the old way is gone because it wasn’t any fun. It was no fun whatsoever.”
This story perfectly represents the value of emotional intelligence. We all want our job sites to run smoothly, finish on time, and stay on budget. But we also want to enjoy the workday and foster an environment where people feel supported and valued.
At PDI Drywall, we embrace what I call the “Ted Lasso” business model: be kind, communicate openly, and listen with respect and empathy. This approach not only makes our job sites more pleasant, but it also works— our projects consistently finish on time and on budget.
It’s time for the construction industry to evolve and recognize that emotional intelligence is not just a ‘soft’ skill— it’s an essential one. By making it a priority, we can create safer, more productive job sites that are better for both employees and the bottom line.
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