Analyse and reflect on how learning from the lecture below has developed your professional abilities and give examples of how you have used / can use the learning from it. (500words)

Emotional Inteliligence

Lesson outcomes:

Learn about Emotional Intelligence and its role in leadership.

Discover theories and practical applications of Emotional Intelligence

Assess your own Emotional Intelligence to guide your career development

Introduction

In 1983, Howard Gardner's work introduced the idea that traditional types of intelligence, such as IQ, fail to fully explain ability.

He introduced the idea of multiple intelligences including:

interpersonal intelligence (the ability to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people)

intrapersonal intelligence (the ability to understand oneself, one's feelings, fears and motivations)

These ideas of intelligences were further developed by Goleman (1995) in his work 'Emotional intelligence' (EI).

Components of EI

Goleman's theory of Emotional Intelligence (1995) divides EI into 5 key skill areas.

Self Awareness

Empathy

Motivation

Self Regulation

Social Skills

Components of Emotional Intelligence

These 4 areas can be broken down into subskills (Goleman, 2002)

Self-Awareness Emotional self-awareness Accurate self-assessment Self-confidence	Self-Management Emotional self-control Trustworthiness Conscientiousness Flexibility Goal orientation
Social awareness Empathy Organisational awareness Service orientation	Relationship Management Inspirational leadership Influence Change catalyst Collaboration and teamwork Conflict management

EQ and the workplace

In a 2011 survey of more than 2,600 hiring managers and human resource professionals:

71% stated they valued emotional intelligence in an employee over IQ;

75% said they were more likely to promote a highly emotionally intelligent worker;

59% stated they would reject a candidate with a high IQ but low emotional intelligence.

(Career Builder, 2011)

EQ can help...

EQ and the workplace

a. Increase team performance / reduced turnover

"An emotionally intelligent leader develops and maintains relationships that are built on trust. They appreciate how other people feel which enables them to motivate others, driving performance and profit" (Core Process, 2018).

b. Improve decision making

Cornell University found that individuals with higher EI were able to understand vital bodily signals more effectively and using that information avoided taking risks (Goleman, 2019).

c.Manage well-being / decrease work stress EQ helps build stronger relationships, which can improve employee mood

and help to overcome challenges by providing a support network.

It also helps individuals to connect with their feelings and turn intentions into actions. This leads to a feeling of accomplishment and success at school / work, which lowers stress (HelpGuide, 2021).

d.Reduce staff turnover "EQ helps managers to create a working environment where employees can feel truly appreciated and valued, resulting in lower turnover" (Edgecomb, 2020).

The Chimp Paradox

The Chimp Paradox (Peters, 2012) is a key aspect of emotional self-management.

The theory focuses on the different parts of the brain, their functions and how, with training, you can learn to override potentially negative emotion-based decisions.

1. Human = rational decision making

Chimp = emotional / impulsive decision making

Computer = pre-programmed thoughts and behaviours

2. Why do we need to control our chimp?

Emotional and impulsive decisions are not always the wisest.

By slowing down our reactions, we allow the logical-decision making part of our brain to work.

3. How can we tame our chimp?

We should allow ourselves to feel our emotions, but then think rationally about the situation. Change our pre-programmed beliefs.

4.How can changing the words we use help us to change our beliefs?

By avoiding words such as 'should' or 'must' we avoid unrealistic ideas. This allows us to change our expectations of our own, and other people's behaviour, which reduces stress.