Gulf Conference Stresses Emotional Intelligence for Better Work

The 14th Gulf Conference for Developing Human Resource Productivity was held in the city of Salalah in Oman. This important event focused on a subject that many people often forget but which plays a huge role in workplace success—emotional intelligence. For two days, experts, leaders, and professionals came together to talk about how self-awareness and emotional skills can make people more productive and help organizations grow.

Focus on Emotional Intelligence

The conference placed great attention on the idea of emotional intelligence. This means understanding your own emotions, controlling them wisely, and also recognizing the emotions of other people. Leaders explained that these skills are not just “soft skills” but are directly linked to higher productivity in companies. When people know how to manage emotions, workplaces become more positive, cooperative, and inspiring.

Building Self-Awareness at Work

One of the central messages of the conference was the need for self-awareness. Self-awareness is when a person knows their own strengths and weaknesses, understands how they feel, and how those feelings affect their work. The conference suggested that workers and leaders should practice becoming more self-aware to handle stress, communicate better, and make better decisions. This step can also help reduce conflicts at work.

Importance of Professional Certification

The event also encouraged people to go beyond just talking about emotional intelligence. It highlighted the importance of learning and improving these skills through professional certification programs. These programs allow workers to be trained formally, gain proper qualifications, and use those skills effectively in their professional lives. By doing this, emotional intelligence becomes a real, practical tool rather than just a theory.

Emotional Intelligence as a Tool for Productivity

The conference reminded participants that emotional intelligence is not just about being kind or friendly. Instead, it is about using specific tools and methods that can raise productivity. For example, being able to manage stress, motivate employees, or understand team needs can make workplaces more effective. When employees feel understood and inspired, they tend to perform better, which benefits the entire organization.

Call for a Regional Association

One of the biggest recommendations from the conference was the call to create a Gulf or Arab Association for Emotional Intelligence. Such an organization would work to promote emotional intelligence in all parts of society, from education to workplaces. It would also spread awareness, create training programs, and ensure that emotional intelligence becomes part of professional and personal development across the region.

Changing Workplace Culture

The experts at the conference spoke about the need to change workplace culture. Many organizations still follow the old model of “command and control,” where leaders only give orders, and workers are expected to simply follow. The conference stressed that it is time to move toward a culture of trust and inspiration. This means leaders should trust their employees, inspire them to grow, and create an environment where people feel motivated instead of pressured.

Contributions of Stakeholders

The event was organized by Al Asayel Conferences with support from the Ministry of Labour, the Dhofar Governor’s Office, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhofar Branch. This partnership showed that different government bodies and private institutions see emotional intelligence as important for future progress. By coming together, they created a platform where regional and international experts could share their ideas and solutions.

Main Objectives of the Event

The overall goal of the conference was to raise awareness about the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. It also aimed to present practical strategies that companies can apply to improve productivity. At the same time, it served as a platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences between experts from across the Gulf region and the wider world.

Final Day Discussions

The last day of the conference was filled with specialized sessions. Experts discussed how emotional intelligence connects with artificial intelligence and new technologies. There were also sessions on effective leadership and ways to measure and improve productivity using emotional intelligence tools. This showed that emotional intelligence is not only about feelings but also about data, leadership methods, and modern workplace strategies.

Interactive Meetings with Experts

Participants also had a chance to attend interactive meetings with local and international experts in human resource development. These discussions allowed professionals to ask questions, share their challenges, and learn from success stories. It created a collaborative atmosphere where everyone could learn from each other and take back useful knowledge to their organizations.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters Today

In today’s fast-changing work environments, technical skills alone are not enough. Employees and leaders also need strong emotional intelligence. Without it, stress, conflict, and poor communication can lower productivity. With it, people can build stronger relationships, solve problems faster, and create workplaces that inspire growth. The conference made it clear that emotional intelligence is no longer optional—it is essential.

Link Between Emotional and Artificial Intelligence

One interesting topic raised during the event was the connection between emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI). As AI becomes more common in workplaces, many people fear that technology will replace human roles. However, the experts explained that emotional intelligence is something machines cannot fully copy. Human empathy, emotional understanding, and leadership are still needed, even in an age of AI. By combining both emotional and artificial intelligence, organizations can achieve balance and better results.

Leadership and Trust

Leadership was another major theme of the event. Experts highlighted that modern leaders must move beyond giving orders and instead build trust with their teams. Trust creates loyalty, motivates employees, and reduces workplace stress. A leader with emotional intelligence can guide teams more effectively by understanding what inspires them and what challenges they face.

Spreading Emotional Intelligence in Education

The conference also emphasized that emotional intelligence should not only be limited to workplaces. It should also become part of education systems. Teaching young students about self-awareness, empathy, and managing emotions can prepare them to be more productive and emotionally strong adults. By including emotional intelligence in schools and universities, societies can build healthier and more successful future generations.

A Shift in Thinking

The recommendations of the conference pointed toward a shift in how workplaces and societies view productivity. Instead of only focusing on numbers, profits, and deadlines, the focus should also include emotional well-being. This way, productivity can rise naturally, as people work in environments where they feel trusted, respected, and valued.

At the end of the two-day event, participants agreed that emotional intelligence is a key to better productivity and stronger workplaces. The call to build a Gulf or Arab association showed that the region wants to take real steps to make emotional intelligence part of everyday life. By moving from command to trust, and from control to inspiration, workplaces in the Gulf and beyond can become more positive, effective, and successful.