Emotional IntelligenceA short primer

EmotionsWhat are emotions? From Wikipedia,“Emotion is the complex psychophysiological

experience of an individual’s state of mind as interacting with biochemical and environmental influences.”

EmotionsLet’s try again.“The Oxford English Dictionary defines emotion as

“any agitation or disturbance of mind, feeling , passion; any vehement or excited mental state.” I take emotion to refer to a feeling , and its distinctive thoughts, psychological and biological states, and range of propensities to act.”(1)

(1) . Daniel Goldman, 1995)”Emotional Intelligence” , Bantam, (ISBN 0-553=37506-7)pg289.

Examples

From Wikipedia, ExamplesAffection, Anger, Annoyance, ApathyDepressionDespair, DisgustFearHappinessSadnessShame, GuiltWorryLoveSurprise or shockAnd more

Why do we experience emotions ?“Automatic reaction of this sort have become etched in our

nervous system, evolutionary biologist presume, because for a long and curial period they made the difference between survival and death.”(2)

The primitive brain did think or learn, but developed regulators that kept the body running to ensure survival.”The fact that the Thinking brain grew from the emotional reveals much about the relationship of thought to feeling ; there was an emotional brain long before there was a rational one” (3)

(2). Daniel Goldman, 1995)”Emotional Intelligence” , Bantam, (ISBN 0-553=37506-7)pg 5.

(3) Ibid. pg 10

Two Minds “ In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that

feels”(4) to where rational thinking occurs

Information travel through the limbic system in the brain to where rational thinking takes place. You experience feelings first.(5)

(4). Daniel Goldman, 1995)”Emotional Intelligence” , Bantam, (ISBN 0-553=37506-7)pg8.

(5) “Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5) p 12.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia“ Emotional intelligence (EI)describes the ability,

capacity, skill or, in the case of the trait EI model, a self- perceived grand ability to identify, asses, manage and control the emotions of one’s self, of others, and of groups”(6)

“types of intelligence, such as IQ, fail to fully explain cognitive ability”(7)

(6)Bradberry, Travis and Greaves, Jean.(2009) “ Emotional Intelligence 2-0”. San Francisco: Publishers Group West.(ISBN 9780974320625)

(7) Smith, M.K.(2002)” Howard Gardner and Multiple intelligences”, The Encyclopedia of Informal Education

What is Emotional Intelligence?

“Quite Simply, emotional Intelligence is the intelligent use of emotions: you intentionally make your emotions work for you by using them to guide behavior and thinking in ways that enhance your results.”(8)

(8) Weisinger, Hendrie,”(1998)”Emotional Intelligence at work ”Jossey-bass, Inc. Publishers

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Why do we care?“ It is estimated that more than 60 percent of

success in business comes from the use of emotional competence(EC). In addition, losses of more than $10 billion per year nationwide are estimated to result from lack of EC.”(9)

(9)DeLorenzo; Luskin; Robins.Shani, (Mar/Apr 2010)”Emotional Competence in Practice Management” Journal of Financial Planning;

Accounting and Tax periodicals pg22

“ The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence”Why Emotional Intelligence is relevant.From the Consortium for Research for

Emotional Intelligence in Organization19 points to consider :1. U.S Air Force used EQ to select recruiters.

The gain was annual savings of $3 millions.2.Experienced partners of a consulting firm

were assessed on EI. Those scoring above nine delivered $1.2 million more profit.

More of the 19 points3. Analysis of more than 300 top executives

showed six emotional competencies distinguished stars from the average.

4.In jobs of medium complexes a top performer is 12 times more productive than bottom.

5. At L’Oreal sales agents selected on the basis of certain emotional competencies significantly out sold salesman selected by old methods.

6.National Insurance company agents sold policies averaging twice the premium.

More Business CasesExecutives and president with strong emotional

intelligence enjoy greater success.

Financial advisors at American Express whose mangers completed Emotional Competencies program were compared to advisors whose managers did not. The first group grew their business at a greater rate. (10).

(10) Chermiss, Cary, (1999).The Business case for Emotional Intelligence The Consortium for Research for Emotional Intelligence in Organization

Emotional Intelligence Skills1. Self Awareness2. Self Management3. Social awareness4. Relationship management(11)

(11)Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5)

Self Awareness“Self awareness includes staying on top of your typical

reaction to specific events, challenges, and even people. A keen understanding of your tendencies is important: it facilitates your ability make sense of your emotions.” (12)

Emotions serve a purpose. Taking the time to think through them is key.(13)

“People with greater certainty about their feeling are better pilots of their lives.(14)

(12). Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5)

(13) Ibid.(14) . Daniel Goldman, 1995)”Emotional Intelligence” ,

Bantam, (ISBN 0-553=37506-7)

Self ManagementWhen to act or not act.Very dependent on your self awareness“Managing your emotional reaction to situations and

people.”“Some emotion reactions to situations can create a

paralyzing fear”The ability to tolerate an exploration of your emotions.

(17)

(17)Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5)

Social AwarenessThe ability to pick up on the emotions of

others and understand them.Perceiving how others feel and how they are

thinkingNot just understanding your emotions, but

the emotional reactions of others and how it is affecting their thinking(18)

(18)Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5

Relationship Management“Ensures clear communication and effective

handling of conflict.”“People who manage relationships well are

committed to their value and are able to see the benefit of connecting with different people, even those they are not fond of”(19)

(19)Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5)

Relationship Management “Aristotle’s Challenge”“Anyone can become angry- that is easy. But to be angry

with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time , for the right purpose, and in the right way-this is not easy.”

Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics (20). (20)Daniel Goldman, 1995)”Emotional Intelligence” ,

Bantam, (ISBN 0-553=37506-7)

A Slightly different DelineationFive domains:1. Knowing one’s emotions.2. Managing emotions3.Motivating oneself4. Recognizing emotions in others5. Handling relationships(21)

(21)Daniel Goldman, 1995)”Emotional Intelligence” , Bantam, (ISBN 0-553=37506-7)

AnotherThe Four Branch Model1.Perceiving Emotion2.Using Emotion to facilitate Thought3. Understanding Emotions4. Managing Emotions (22)

(22) Mayer & Salovey, 1997, down loaded from www.unh.edu/ emotional _ intelligence/

So What !Are you a slave to your emotions?Do you find your emotions controlling your

decision making process ?Do other peoples emotions create reactions

to your emotions ?Are there times when you look back on a day,

a situation or an event and say why did I do, or say what I did?

You are not alone.IQ doesn’t change, what about EQ

“Your Brain is Plastic”The cells in your brain grow new ways to communicate

with one another in response to changing circumstances.

Neurological term “ Plasticity”“ your emotional intelligence is a product of the amount

of communication between the rational and emotional centers of your brain. When you practice emotional intelligence skills, you strengthin this pathway, Your cells literally branch out and grow connections between you feeling and your reason – but it takes time.”(23)

(23) Bradberry, Travis, and Greaves, Jean. (2003)”the Emotional Intelligence Quick Book.” Fireside(ISBN 0-7432-7326-5)

Promoting emotional intelligence in the work placeFrom the Consortium for Research for

Emotional Intelligence in OrganizationGuide Lines for Best Practice“These guidelines were developed for the

Consortium by Daniel Goleman and Cary Cherniss, with assistance of Kim Cowan, Rob Emmerling, and Mitch Alder.

See www.EIConsortium.org22 guidelines broken into for sections

Paving the Way1. Assess the Organization’s needs.2. Assess the individual.3. Deliver assessments with care.4. Maximize leaner choice.5. Encourage people to participate.6.Link learning goals to personal values.7. Adjust expectations.8.Gauge readiness

Doing the work of change9. Foster positive relationship between the

trainers and learners.10.Make change self-directed.11. Set clear goals.12.Break goals into manageable steps.13. Provide opportunities to practice.14. Give performance feedback.15. Rely on experiential with methods.16. Build in support.

Doing the work of changeContinued17. Use Models.18. Enhance insight.19. Prevent relapse.

Encourage Transfer and Maintenance of Change20. Encourage use of skills on the job.21.Develope an organizational culture that

supports learning.

Did It Work? Evaluating ChangeEvaluate.