Emotional Intelligence 1.1
(Monday)
Context:
Life requires constant interaction with other people. Both in your personal and professional life, how well you relate and interact with others will have a direct impact on your happiness and success.
● Studies indicate that employees who are difficult to work with, no matter how smart or talented, are more likely to be fired or laid off than employees that can cooperate and collaborate with their colleagues.
● Research by OfficeTeam, a staffing agency, and division of Robert Half, shows almost (95%) of HR managers and (99%) of workers agree that strong emotional intelligence is important.
What it is: Emotional intelligence is defined as: the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.
At MindSage, we boil it down to this: knowing what you are feeling and why at any given moment. Knowing what others may be feeling and why, at any given moment.
Why it’s important: Life is all about interactions. Understanding what we feel and why, especially when dealing with others, gives us the advantage of being able to think logically rather than emotionally.
In all relationships and interactions, at work or in life, being able to understand what others are feeling and why, gives you the best chance of dealing with that person and situation in a positive and effective way.
Emotional intelligence is one of the qualities employers look for most when hiring.
“When managers first started hearing about the concept of emotional intelligence in the 1990s, scales fell from their eyes. The basic message, that effectiveness in organizations is at least as much about EQ as IQ, resonated deeply; it was something that people knew in their guts but that had never before been so well articulated. Most important, the idea held the potential for positive change. Instead of being stuck with the hand they’d been dealt, people could take steps to enhance their emotional intelligence and make themselves more effective in their work and personal lives. ”
Primer Questions
Have you heard of the term ‘Emotional Intelligence”?
What do you think it means or invovles?
Do you think it’s important to be emotionally intelligent? Why or why not?
Write down your answers and observations in your journal.
“
The only way to change someone's mind is to connect with them from the heart.
”
- Rasheed Ogunlaru.
The role of emotions.
Have you ever said or done something to someone that you immediately regretted? What caused you to act that way in the first place?
Often times we react based on emotions, without even thinking - and that’s the problem.
If we react without thinking, often times the results aren’t what we wanted or hoped for.
How else can emotions impact us? Especially our ability to learn?
Watch the video.
Questions for discussion:
Why is emotional Intelligence (or EI) important:
In order to learn?
In a group setting?
With your family and friends?
At work?
Write your answers to the questions in your journal.
Use of emotional intellignece in every day life.
1. Create a list of a profession or job that requires a person to control their emotions in order to stay calm and accomplish their task.
2. Try to remember a time you made a decision when you were emotional, only to realize later that it wasn’t such a good decision.
Emotions can interfere with our thought process:
Emotions can prevent us from making good decisions or thinking clearly, or logically.
• Emotions can interfere with our ability to concentrate and learn.
• EI allows you to identify and control your emotions – no matter what’s going on in your life.
Once we’re able to easily identify what I’m feeling and why, then what?
Identifying the emotions involved in any situation, both yours and that of others is just the first step. What we do with that knowledge can either hinder or contribute to our success in the workplace and life.
Metacognitive Assignment
From now until Wednesday, try to be very aware of what you’re feeling throughout each day. Identify how and when your emotions change around different people or different situations.
Notice if you tend to react based on emotions. When someone says something negative, or confrontational, do you speak without thinking? How do you feel when someone is pressuring you or challenging your viewpoint?
Take this week to be very aware of if, when and how your emotions change.
Thought of the day.
Emotions can get in the way or get you on the way. -Mavis Mazhura