5 Unexpected Games to Increase Emotional Intelligence at Work

Ever wondered how to increase emotional intelligence at work without the usual dull training sessions? Turns out, the path to stronger EQ might be more playful than you think. In professional settings where emotional awareness often takes a backseat to technical skills, interactive games create a refreshing approach to developing this crucial capability. These unexpected activities provide a psychological safety net for practicing emotional skills that many find challenging to address directly.

Companies investing in ways to increase emotional intelligence see tangible returns—from improved team collaboration to reduced conflict and enhanced leadership. The business case is clear: teams with higher collective EQ navigate workplace challenges more effectively. Let's explore five surprising games that transform emotional intelligence development from an academic exercise into an engaging practice your team will actually enjoy.

Game 1 & 2: Playful Activities to Increase Emotional Intelligence

The first unexpected game to increase emotional intelligence is the "Role-Reversal Exercise." Participants select a recent workplace interaction and then physically switch positions to embody their colleague's perspective. This simple yet powerful activity builds empathy by literally putting you in someone else's seat. Teams report immediate insights into communication patterns they'd previously overlooked.

"Emotion Charades" takes emotional vocabulary building to new heights. Unlike traditional charades, participants draw emotion cards ranging from basic (frustrated, excited) to nuanced (disillusioned, vindicated). As team members guess the emotions being portrayed, they develop a richer emotional lexicon that serves them in real workplace scenarios.

Both games require minimal setup—just 15 minutes during team meetings provides enough time to practice these emotional awareness techniques. The key is consistency rather than duration, making them perfect for busy teams looking to increase emotional intelligence without major time investments.

Game 3 & 4: Interactive Ways to Increase Emotional Intelligence Daily

The "Emotion Wheel Challenge" transforms how teams discuss feelings in professional contexts. Using a printed emotion wheel with concentric circles representing increasingly specific emotions, team members identify where their current emotional state falls. This game helps increase emotional intelligence by moving beyond simplistic happy/sad/angry classifications toward more precise emotional awareness.

"Feedback Hot Potato" turns the often-dreaded feedback process into an engaging activity. A small object is passed around during meetings, with each person offering one piece of constructive feedback and one piece of positive feedback to another team member before passing the "potato." This structured approach creates a regular rhythm for emotional exchanges that might otherwise be avoided.

For remote teams seeking to increase emotional intelligence, these games adapt beautifully to virtual settings. Digital emotion wheels and virtual passing of the "hot potato" during video calls maintain the interactive element that makes these activities so effective for developing emotional regulation skills that transfer to high-pressure situations.

Game 5 & Measuring Your Emotional Intelligence Growth

"Scenario Solutions" rounds out our collection of games to increase emotional intelligence. Teams receive workplace scenarios with emotional complexity—a disappointed client, team conflict, or receiving critical feedback. The twist? Teams must collaboratively develop three potential responses, each employing different emotional intelligence strategies. This game builds a shared toolkit of approaches for emotionally charged situations.

Tracking your team's emotional intelligence growth doesn't require complex assessments. Simple metrics like counting "emotion words" used in team communications or tracking how quickly conflicts resolve provide tangible evidence of progress. Many teams create a quick "EQ moment" at the start of meetings to maintain focus on their commitment to increase emotional intelligence consistently.

Ready to transform your team's emotional capabilities through play? Start small with just one game this week. The beauty of these activities is their accessibility—no special training required, just a willingness to engage. As your team develops stronger emotional awareness, you'll notice subtle shifts in how conflicts are handled and how team members support each other through challenges.

The most effective strategies to increase emotional intelligence are often the ones that don't feel like work at all. These five games create spaces where emotional skills can develop naturally through interaction rather than instruction, making the path to higher EQ both effective and enjoyable.