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Transform Your EQ, Transform Your Life
Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence Through Practice
theDiversityPost Contributors
July 15, 2024
Unlike IQ, which has been shown to remain steady throughout our lives in most individuals, EQ is an intelligence quotient you can actually improve. These are among the many amazing findings of Daniel Goleman’s brilliant book.
Daniel Goleman came to write "Emotional Intelligence" after years of researching the brain and emotions as a science journalist for The New York Times. He was particularly inspired by an article he discovered by Peter Salovey and John Mayer, which introduced the term "emotional intelligence." Goleman saw the profound impact that understanding and managing emotions could have on personal and professional success, driving him to explore and popularize the concept through his groundbreaking book.
The book came into Raffa’s hands from a habit of noticing the books being read by those around him on flights. It is a way he uses to bring new literary works into his life by embracing books he wouldn’t normally choose. If someone is reading a book that intrigues him, by the time he’s landed, it’s on its way to his home or downloaded to his Kindle. From the very first reading, it was a book that impacted him.
"Emotional Intelligence” has great insights into the importance of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. While we have mentioned these before, we never expected how much the way Goleman combined them into the larger concept of emotional intelligence, and the idea that it can be further developed would significantly enhance personal and professional lives. While the book expresses 12 separate concepts, we’ve recombined them into a larger five to simplify and build into habits in your life over the coming week. These are five practices anyone can use to improve their emotional intelligence.
Practice 1: Know Thyself through The Power of Self-Awareness
Understanding your emotions is crucial for personal growth and effective decision-making. Being aware of how your feelings influence your thoughts and actions allows you to navigate complex situations with clarity and confidence. It lays the foundation for developing other emotional intelligence skills.
Spend five minutes each day reflecting on your emotions and their impact on your behavior. Keep a journal to track your feelings and review it weekly to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Practice 2: Stay Calm and Manage Your Emotions
Managing your emotions effectively helps you stay focused and resilient, even in stressful situations. It involves regulating your reactions and maintaining composure, which is essential for making sound decisions and maintaining productive relationships.
Do a three count before reacting to anything. Take a deep breath, especially when stressed or upset and ease into the thought that follows. Also, setting aside time to meditate to help you start your day with a calm and focused mindset is proven to improve the way you tackle your day.
Practice 3: Put Empathy in Action by Building Social Awareness
Developing social awareness is about tuning into others and understanding the emotional dynamics around you. Social awareness involves recognizing and valuing the emotions and perspectives of those around you, fostering trust and collaboration. It’s about sensing the emotional climate in social settings and responding appropriately.
Make a habit of actively listening during conversations, focusing entirely on the speaker without interrupting. Spend a few minutes after each interaction reflecting on what you learned about the other person's feelings and perspectives.
Practice 4: Strengthen Bonds with Effective Relationship Management
Effectively managing relationships involves clear communication, conflict resolution, and building trust. Strong relationship management skills lead to better teamwork, collaboration, and overall success in both personal and professional settings.
Practice active listening and empathetic responses during interactions. Schedule regular check-ins with key individuals to foster open communication and address any issues proactively.
Practice 5: Cultivate Deep Empathy in Yourself
Cultivating deep empathy goes beyond understanding others' emotions; it involves delving into your own psyche to connect on a profound level. Empathy helps you relate to others' experiences and emotions, building strong, supportive relationships. This deeper understanding can transform your ability to influence and inspire those around you.
Each day, take a moment to consider someone else's perspective, especially during conflicts or disagreements. Being impeccable in the words you choose is equally important. Acknowledge feelings, seek understanding, and show care.
Investing in your emotional intelligence can transform your approach to life and relationships. As you cultivate these skills, you'll notice a positive shift in how you interact with the world around you. Embracing this journey will not only make you a better leader and collaborator but also a more compassionate and self-aware individual.
We've found that integrating emotional intelligence practices into our daily routines has been incredibly rewarding. By making a conscious effort to improve our self-awareness and empathy, we've built stronger, more meaningful connections with others. This journey has not only enhanced our professional capabilities but has also brought more depth and satisfaction to our personal interactions.
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