Putting Your Emotional Intelligence to Work
This past year has been challenging for all of us in a variety of ways. Whether you side with those that believe lockdowns and restrictions are the best course for the greater good, or favor the side of less restrictions, and open economy and free will, there is no doubt that our emotional intelligence (our “EQ”) has played a part in how we have handled the past year and how we may intentionally navigate our feelings and actions going forward. Three elements of EQ include Self Awareness, Self Regulation and Social Awareness. Each is key to successful navigating this “return to normal” year.
The Self Awareness component of EQ indicates our ability to recognize what we are feeling and to understand these feelings. Understanding this is of primary importance during this transitional season of getting back to some semblance of normalcy. Eager, scared, etc.? It may be important for us to understand why we are feeling off center? This past year has been an adjustment for us all and with that may come unrecognized emotions.
Equally important is understanding Self Regulation component of EQ. Self Regulation is the ability to think before we act and to control possible unproductive behaviors. The world could use a lot more of this right now.
Understanding your own EQ gives you the tools to learn to “walk around the block” before passing judgement, before saying or doing something we may regret later. In this time of transition, with opinions so varied on how we should proceed, it will benefit us all to lean into building our self-regulation skills.
The Social Awareness component of EQ is also of great value right now. Everyone experienced COVID differently. Because of that, it is important to be able to “read the room” and get an understanding that your experience and thoughts may not be shared in the same light as others.
Knowing your EQ, and developing a stronger understanding of it, can make the difference between a great leader and a problematic one. There is no better time than now to put your emotional intelligence to work.