The Impact of Emotional Intelligence Among a Multigenerational Workforce

Emotionally intelligent leaders make conscious efforts to evaluate employee satisfaction, retention, engagement, conflict resolution, quality patient care, and overall facility performance. Variances among generations like communication styles, technology preferences, promotability attitudes, and work ethic can affect day-to-day team behaviors. Highlighting the importance of daily interactions, the purpose and aim of this project are to determine whether the implementation of emotional intelligence (EQ) training will improve communication in a multigenerational workforce. EQ Appraisal training was implemented for a multigenerational staff in a long-term care setting to form a cohesive working team. Project results showed a 15% decrease in staff turnover and increased Patient Satisfaction from 2 to 4 stars over a 3-month period. Facilities committed to incorporating EQ Appraisal Programs as the foundation of a multigenerational work team will promote a safe and more manageable workplace. Nurse leaders of all setting types and structures willing to do so can empower nurses globally. Practice implications include a heightened awareness within multigenerational teams and an improved ability to recognize social cues. Increased job satisfaction, lower staff turnover, an enhanced skillset in conflict resolution, and a mutual employee-employer relationship, inclusive of patient engagement and trust, can only coincide.