Leaders and Emotional Intelligence 2/8/17

Emotional Intelligence – The Big Picture* Despite a focus on EI (Emotional Intelligence) today only 36% of those tested can accurately identify their emotions while they are happening. There are 5 core feelings which combine to account for all the feelings we have; happiness, sadness, anger, fear and shame. An emotional hijacking is when an emotion is so strong that you react without thinking. A trigger event is when something generates an emotional reaction. EI is the ability to recognize and understand an emotional reaction and manage it. EI is different from IQ (intelligence quotient) or personality preference, and of the three is the easiest to change. EI is the greatest predictor of professional success because it impacts virtually every other professional skill. Emotional Intelligence is an important skill for leaders who must deal with conflict, inspire under stress and speak into the lives of those they coach and mentor. ** One quick note on last week’s reflection. One of our USACC medical doctors educated me on one of the statements from chapter 1. Not all sensory information passes from the brain stem through the limbic system. I can only assume that the authors here have over-simplified for the sake of brevity but please let me know if you do not think the basic assumptions are valid. One new addition, also from your feedback, I add some connections with Army leadership doctrine to this discussion. Consider ADRP 6-22, 3-26 to 3-32 or FM 6-22, chart 6-1, empathy. Please suggest others. *This is a personal reflection on chapter 2 of the book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves – I heard this speaker at an event called the Global Leadership Summit held in late summer each year. ** For a religious thought on this reflection you may consider Proverbs 16:32 or for a spiritual one consult www.belief.net