| You can’t control much in life. What you can control, though, are your emotions. When I was at school our (IQ) intelligence quotient was important. Not so much anymore. It seems being emotionally intelligent is more important. What is EI then? You can manage your emotions and understand the feelings of people around you. The five key elements of EI are: self-awareness self-regulation motivation empathy social skills. With a high EI you can identify emotions, understand what these mean, and how these emotions impact your behaviour. You also know how to respond to others because of your emotional maturity. High EI overlaps with strong interpersonal skills, especially in conflict management and communication – crucial skills in the workplace. When you self-regulate your emotions you avoid making impulsive decisions and you think objectively before taking action. Operating with empathy and understanding is a critical part of teamwork; attributing someone’s behaviour to an underlying emotion will help you manage relationships and make others feel heard. Being aware of your feelings is the first step to not letting those feelings control you. Recognizing how you feel and why will help you sit with uncomfortable emotions before taking any positive action. These are some attributes that will enhance your EQ: Attitude Choose to have a positive outlook. Integrity Stick to your values, even when it’s hard. Courage Face your fears and grow. Kindness A small act can change someone’s day. Influence Be the leader you’d want to follow. Actions Make good decisions for a positive outcome that benefits everyone. Boundaries Say no when you need to. Circles Surround yourself with supportive people. Self-Belief Believe you can, and you will. Don’t Make Excuses Kill them before they kill your dreams. Focus Choose where you direct your attention. Gratitude Count your blessings, no matter how small. Your power starts and ends with you. |
