Have you ever been in any of the following types of situations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the above situations require Emotional Intelligence. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has been defined as, \u201cyour ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behaviour and relationships\u201d (Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves, Emotional Intelligence 2.0<\/em>, p.17). Bradberry\u2019s research found that EQ ability underscores many skills (including time management, decision-making and communication), accounts for 58% of successful performance in all kinds of jobs, is the single biggest predictor of workplace performance and the strongest driver of leadership success. In fact Bradberry found that 90% of all highly effective leaders were strong in EQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emotional Intelligence comprises four domains: Self-Awareness; Self-Management; Social-Awareness and Relationship-Management, with Self-Awareness as the foundational skill. As Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee observe in their book, The New Leaders<\/em>, \u201cself-awareness facilitates empathy and self-management and these two, in combination, allow effective relationship management.\u201d(p.37)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A summarised description of each domain, based on The New Leaders<\/em> follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-Awareness – is being able to recognise your own emotions, how they impact others and using your instincts to guide decision-making. It\u2019s also having a good sense of confidence and self-worth with a realistic assessment of your strengths and limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-Management \u2013 is the ability to exercise self-control by managing disturbing emotions and impulses, even channelling them into positive directions while remaining calm and clear minded under pressure. It also includes transparency \u2013 being authentically open to others about your own feelings, beliefs and values and practising integrity through confronting others\u2019 unethical behaviour while willing to admit your own mistakes and faults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social Awareness \u2013 means having a sense of empathy from being aware of others\u2019 emotions, understanding their perspectives and taking their concerns seriously. It also includes organizational awareness \u2013 the ability to read organizational politics and dynamics and recognising the formal and informal decision-making networks. This domain also includes being able to recognise and serve the needs of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Relationship Management \u2013 is the capacity to apply the other three skills in the field of leadership. It features the ability to: guide and motivate followers with a compelling vision; lead through relational influence; develop people via feedback and coaching; initiate and facilitate personal and organizational change; engage in constructive conflict management; develop and sustain a network of relationships and build collaboration and teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strengthening Your Emotional Intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EQ is not static \u2013 like muscles in the human body it can be developed and strengthened. Over the years there have been a number of suggested ways of doing so, eg:<\/p>\n\n\n These are all valid suggestions \u2013 I personally use all of them. However, there are three specific EQ development strategies I especially recommend: <\/p>\n\n\n 1) Undertake an EQ Assessment<\/span> 2) Find an Experienced Coach<\/span> 3) Practice<\/span> Daniel Goleman is one of the world\u2019s leading exponents of EQ. I\u2019ll conclude this blog with another quote from his book, The New Leaders<\/em> where it affirms that under the guidance of an emotionally intelligent leader, \u201cpeople feel a mutual comfort level. They share ideas, learn from one another, make decisions collaboratively, and get things done. They form an emotional bond that helps them stay focused even amid profound change and uncertainty. Perhaps most important, connecting with others at an emotional level makes work more meaningful.\u201d (p. 25)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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While there are a number of free on-line assessments, the one I use and recommend for my clients is available from Emotional Intelligence 2.0<\/em>. This appraisal has been developed from testing over 500,000 people. A participant\u2019s Profile Report not only features their results validated against the international data base but also recommended action steps to develop their most critical domain. The price of the appraisal is included in the cost of the book using an individualised passcode, via a \u2018scratchie\u2019 (be sure to purchase a hard copy, not the audio version). The passcode enables participants to take the on-line assessment twice \u2013 firstly to establish a benchmark rating and then, after intentionally using the recommended development strategies, a few months later to check improvement.<\/p>\n
My clients have found that having an experienced coach accelerates their EQ growth. As their coach I help my clients apply the recommended strategies from their EQ Appraisal Profile Report to the challenges and dynamics of their individual contexts. In that way I can help them process difficulties constructively and underscore learnings and progress. <\/p>\n
As with developing any skill \u2018practice makes perfect\u2019! I encourage my coachees to first practise the strategies recommended in their EQ Appraisal Profile Report in safe places \u2013 i.e. with people they feel safe and secure with such as family, friends, etc. Making mistakes there hopefully won\u2019t have quite the same consequences as might be the case in the workplace. Once confidence builds, together with guidance from their coach, they can start using their new skills in other contexts which might be more challenging. <\/p>\n\n\n