The thing about Emotional Intelligence…
I have been thinking about emotional intelligence a great deal lately.
To be in line with most of my colleagues at Dove Nest I have just completed my MHS EQi-2.0 certification training so have had an opportunity to immerse myself in the theory behind the model that has been used to great effect with a number of our clients.
And the thing about emotional intelligence is…
…it’s just too important to be left to chance!
When an icon of business leadership like Jack Welch says “emotional intelligence is more rare than booksmarts (which I took to mean IQ in this context) but my experience says it is actually more important in the making of a leader” then you have to question why the development of emotional intelligence is not a core subject and compulsory module on everyone’s “lifelong learning journey”?
I reflected on how I entered the world of work in the mid-eighties in proud possession of my honours degree but with very little understanding of the “set of emotional and social skills that would influence the way I perceive and express myself, develop and maintain social relationships, cope with challenges, and use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way” It had not been a part of my education or upbringing to that point so, in truth, I hadn’t given it much thought but now I think why on earth not?
As an example, earlier in my career I would find myself avoiding making an apology in a range of situations where it was actually necessary but I would resist doing so out of a misplaced sense of how it would make me look (and an overconfidence in me being right more often than not – an example of unbalanced self-regard!) Saying sorry would make me look weak and undermine my credibility, or so I thought. However, through experience I have learnt that there are occasions when offering a humble & heartfelt apology is the strongest thing I can do. Politicians and British Cycling could take note!
Over the past thirty years I feel I have developed my “streetsmarts”, as Jack might put it, through a combination of experience (working with some truly enlightened, emotionally intelligent individuals) and equally enlightened employers who have invested in my personal & professional development. But it wasn’t until I studied the EQi-2.0 model that the point of this post really hit home.
So. Don’t leave the development of your emotional intelligence to chance.
If you are fortunate enough to be exposed to an education system that understands the importance of emotional intelligence, embrace every opportunity to learn about it. And if you aren’t so fortunate, why not challenge the school or college in question to get acquainted with the benefits?
If you are fortunate enough to work for an employer who acknowledges emotional intelligence as a key determinant of your and, hence, their success; they will invest in your development of it. If they aren’t we can help with that.
But above all, take personal responsibility for developing your emotional intelligence on purpose. You, and those around you will be glad you did.