By Dr. Claire Muselman
Hey there, beautiful souls! Are you tired of the disconnection you feel in your personal and professional relationships? It’s time to talk about a game-changer: Emotional Intelligence (EI).
Have you ever heard of empathic leadership, compassionate leadership, or servant leadership? Emotional Intelligence is like their cool, multidimensional cousin. It is not just a buzzword; it is a necessity. Studies as old as the Hawthorne studies from the 1920s show that the key to employee motivation is not surveillance but the power of human connection.
A jaw-dropping 85% of employees feel disengaged at work. On the flip side, companies with engaged employees are 21% more profitable. (Thank you, Gallup for continuing to advance our understanding of employees in the workforce!) How can we turn the tables?
First, let’s break it down. EI is essentially your ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as those of people around you. It starts with self-awareness, the cornerstone of effective leadership. Imagine if you could manage not just your actions but your reactions. Oh if we could all do this, life would be wonderful, am I right?
While IQ tests measure things like your ability to understand abstract information, Emotional Intelligence covers the other 80% of your intelligence and success in life. Emotional intelligence is the secret sauce for motivating people and inspiring a sense of self-worth.
Take a moment to reflect on a recent interaction where you felt a strong emotional reaction. Could you identify your emotions? What about the emotions of the other person? Jot these down and ponder what you could do differently next time. I do this at night before I go to bed. I think of a situation I could have handled differently, and I think about the outcome if I shifted my reaction. There is power in learning from our actions in life.
In Personal Relationships: Understand and empathize with your loved ones.
In Professional Settings: Be the kind of leader who knows team members’ unique strengths and inspires higher levels of motivation.
In Diverse Groups: Navigate different perspectives and cultural backgrounds to foster an inclusive environment.
For the next seven days, try to identify the emotions you experience throughout the day. Label them and ponder their origins. You might be surprised at what you discover!
Emotional Intelligence is not just a trend, it is a vital skill for fostering deep connections and creating environments where everyone can thrive. It is up to us to lead by example, starting with leading our own life and then using our influence to demonstrate what is possible. Remember, the world is shaped by your example, not your opinion.
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