Initially, in the training of lawyers, much is said about mastering the law and obtaining degrees, but little is said about emotional intelligence in the legal profession to achieve one's goals.
The truth is, anyone who wants to practice law has to be prepared to solve problems. And that is, in fact, the reason why your clients will come to you.
On the other hand, what no one tells you is that to solve problems, it's essential to have control over your emotions and know how to rationalize issues.
Why is emotional intelligence important?
First of all, it would be reckless to discuss the subject without mentioning Daniel Goleman , a distinguished scholar on the topic of emotional intelligence, including in the legal profession.
According to him, a person's Emotional Quotient (EQ) contributes 80% to their success in life, while the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) only contributes 20%.
Therefore, it is undeniably detrimental that lawyers, during their training, are not prepared to deal with one of the most relevant themes for success: emotional intelligence in the legal profession.
How can you improve your emotional intelligence in the legal profession?
According to Goleman , emotional intelligence is divided into competencies that need to be worked on one by one in your daily routine, let's see:
Self-awareness
First and foremost, a lawyer needs to understand the level of emotion they put into things. Only then is it possible to see which aspects need to be changed. That's why, according to the author, a professional who doesn't recognize their emotions won't know when and how to control them.
self-regulation
It is in this area that the illustrious Goleman addresses the management of emotions. In the legal profession, this skill reflects the lawyer's need to control their ego. It is at this moment that impulses can take over, therefore, any stance should always be preceded by a careful assessment.
Motivation
Following this line of thought, every lawyer with emotional intelligence is motivated by internal values, which are not necessarily linked to the rewards they may receive for acting appropriately. On the contrary, what motivates the emotionally intelligent lawyer is the awareness that professional delivery is based on their commitment and not on the circumstances or the client.
Social skills
Being a lawyer and lacking social skills are definitely incompatible. At this stage, a lawyer who already possesses emotional awareness, control, and motivation must now seek social interaction. This interaction isn't necessarily linked to introversion or extroversion, but to the ability to persuade using strategic discourse. Therefore, a lawyer who interacts well isn't necessarily the one who talks the most or expresses themselves in the most attention-grabbing way, but rather the one who knows how to clearly convey their message and gain the listener's trust.
Empathy
Finally, in the words of lawyer Wagner Odri :
" The practice of law with respect and empathy is the noblest of professions. Without them, it is the most perverse of all ."
Empathy is basically the art of knowing how to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Be careful, this is not a loophole for the lawyer to let their emotions get the better of them. It's a warning for the lawyer to approach the case, aware of the relevance that the outcome will have on the client's life. This value should encourage the lawyer to attribute the same importance to the case as the client does. Conversely, what many lawyers lacking empathy do is treat the client's case as just another number.
Conclusion
Given everything that has been said, it's normal to conclude that some of these skills are lacking. Therefore, the alternative in the pursuit of emotional intelligence in law is clearly to also work on your emotional skills. This will allow you to become a professional capable of solving client problems wisely, rationally, and assertively.
If you want to become an even more specialized professional in your field, check out IDP's postgraduate programs and stand out in the market.
