As we live and work in a world of ever-evolving technological advancements and unforeseen global challenges, it's easy to get caught up in the technical hustle of delivering projects. While we've got the hard skills down (our shiny resumes attest to that), emotional intelligence (EI) truly guides us through these stormy global tides. In this blog post, I discuss why EI is more critical than ever for tech project managers if they want to succeed and excel in their careers. 

Navigating layoffs with empathy  

The tech industry is like a rollercoaster, it's super exciting, but occasionally, it makes our stomachs drop. One such low point is when companies face layoffs or downsizing. This scenario isn't just a numbers game; it's a human difficulty requiring exceptional empathy from project managers. As Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella said last year during the global mass layoffs, "Empathy is more important today than ever before." 

Picture this: Your team learns of impending layoffs, and an atmosphere dense with anxiety ensues. An empathetic project manager offers comfort and understanding. This can be done by addressing team members' concerns, providing transparency, and maintaining open communication lines, which can soothe such a tense situation and provide a sense of hope. 

Ethics, AI and EI 

Nowadays, AI is like a mythical beast (or caring ally, depending on your perspective) in the tech space. As its influence expands, ethical considerations morph into pivotal aspects of decision-making. Recently, Sheryl Sandberg (former COO of Meta) highlighted, “Technology is changing faster than ever, affecting everything in its path, including our values." 

Emotional intelligence enters the scene like a savvy sidekick, supporting project managers to make decisions that balance tech innovation with ethics. Take the latest AI project predicting consumer behavior. Sure, it might increase efficiency, but at what privacy cost? An emotionally intelligent project manager seeks to understand stakeholder values, fosters discussions about potential impacts, and ensures the team adheres to ethical guidelines. After all, no one wants their name on a project that later gets labeled as a data privacy disaster! 

Stress Management and EI 

Tech project timelines can get too dramatic (like a Shakespearean play), which causes lots of stress to the team, regardless of the team members’ levels of experience. Beneath this pressure cooker environment, emotional intelligence acts as the cooling agent, preventing potential meltdowns (both project-wise and personal). 

To lighten this stress, recall a recent observation by Brené Brown (author and podcaster): "Under stress, people gravitate towards the familiar." Our role as EI-savvy project managers is to create a sense of familiarity in workflows, reassuring routines, and even small things like quick virtual check-ins. Acknowledging our team’s efforts, accommodating flexible working hours, and incorporating periodic team get-together sessions can work wonders.  

Leading modern diverse teams 

Leading diverse tech teams is like conducting an orchestra. Each instrument (or individual) has its unique tone and style. When played harmoniously, the result is a symphony that delights our stakeholders and users alike. Emotional intelligence lets project managers embrace these differences and create music rather than noise. 

We live in an increasingly interconnected world where remote collaboration is the new norm. With team members from varied backgrounds, preferences, and work styles, fostering a cohesive team dynamic might seem daunting. As Google's Sundar Pichai said: "A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes." By recognizing each team member's strengths and fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates these differences, emotionally intelligent project managers can lead teams toward innovative solutions and breakthrough ideas.  

This is especially true for our team at Konabos, where we pride ourselves in being a multi-cultural and vastly diverse company with employees from over 10 ethnicities and languages.  

To sum up, here’s a word of wisdom to all tech PMs: as you pilot your tech projects, consider emotional intelligence your trusted co-pilot. EI helps us manage layoff tremors, navigate the ethical dilemma of AI, cool down stress-induced drama, and beautifully orchestrate the diverse ensembles we lead. 

Incorporating emotional intelligence may not polish our weekly status reports, but its impact is felt daily in the smiles of our team members, the ethical solidity of our projects, and the success of innovative solutions we bring to life. In tech project management, emotional intelligence is not just an accessory, it’s our secret weapon.