Introduction
Emotional Intelligence, often referred to as EQ, is a crucial aspect of our personal and professional lives that often goes unnoticed. In a world where technical skills and knowledge are highly valued, we often overlook the significance of emotional intelligence. But what exactly is emotional intelligence, and why does it matter? In this blog post, we will delve into the three key pillars of emotional intelligence and explore how they can positively impact your life.
Pillar 1: Self-Awareness
The foundation of emotional intelligence lies in self-awareness. It’s about understanding yourself, your emotions, and your triggers. Self-awareness involves recognizing what makes you tick, what brings you joy, what drains your energy, and what throws you off balance. In essence, it’s a deep exploration of your own emotional landscape.
Identifying Triggers
Triggers are the events, situations, or people that can set off a chain reaction of emotions within us. These triggers can be both positive and negative. For instance, a positive trigger might be a compliment from a colleague, while a negative trigger could be criticism from a superior. Being aware of these triggers allows you to navigate your emotional responses more effectively.
Emotional Energy
Understanding what energizes or depletes you is also a vital part of self-awareness. Some activities and interactions can leave you feeling revitalized and motivated, while others might leave you feeling drained and unmotivated. Recognizing these patterns enables you to make informed choices about how you allocate your time and energy.
Morning Momentum
Lastly, self-awareness extends to how you start your day. What makes you leap out of bed in the morning? What motivates you to face the day with enthusiasm? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you establish morning routines that set a positive tone for the day ahead.
Pillar 2: Self-Management
Once you’ve gained self-awareness, the next step is self-management. It’s about how you handle your emotions and reactions in real-time, especially when those triggers come into play.
Avoiding the Amygdala Hijack
The term “amygdala hijack” refers to the sudden and intense emotional response that can override rational thinking. This often happens in high-stress situations, causing people to freeze or react impulsively. Self-management involves learning to recognize and control these emotional hijacks, allowing you to respond more calmly and thoughtfully.
Handling Trigger Responses
Managing your reactions to both positive and negative triggers is essential. It means being able to maintain composure when faced with criticism, disappointment, or unexpected challenges, as well as celebrating successes without becoming overly boastful.
Pillar 3: Self-Expression
The third pillar of emotional intelligence focuses on how you communicate and interact with others. It’s about expressing your emotions in a healthy and constructive manner.
Effective Communication
Effective communication is a key aspect of self-expression. It involves not only expressing your thoughts and feelings clearly but also listening attentively to others. A high level of emotional intelligence allows you to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and understanding.
Authenticity
Being authentic in your interactions is another dimension of self-expression. Authenticity means staying true to your values and emotions while still being open to growth and change. It fosters genuine connections with others and promotes trust and rapport.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, three core pillars of emotional intelligence encompasses self-awareness, self-management, and self-expression. It’s about understanding your own emotions, managing them effectively, and expressing yourself authentically in your interactions with others. Developing these three pillars of emotional intelligence can lead to improved relationships, better decision-making, and increased overall well-being.
In a world that often emphasizes technical skills and knowledge, don’t underestimate the power of emotional intelligence. It can be the key to unlocking personal and professional success, as it allows you to not only understand yourself but also connect with and influence those around you positively. So, take the time to nurture your emotional intelligence—it’s an investment in a brighter and more fulfilling future.
Questions:
- Can you identify a specific trigger in your life, whether positive or negative, that consistently influences your emotions? How do you manage your responses to this trigger?
- Think about your daily routine. What activities or interactions give you the most energy and motivation? Are there any that consistently drain your energy? How can you make informed choices based on this awareness?
- In your professional life, how do you handle feedback, whether it’s positive or critical? How can self-management help you respond more effectively to feedback?
- Do you believe you effectively express your thoughts and feelings, or is there room for improvement?
Leadership Coaching in Action
I enjoy collaborating with Leaders and their teams, as that’s when transformative moments occur. For instance, during a leadership coaching session, I probed a client about their team’s alignment with values and desired culture. The Leader affirmed the alignment, but upon involving the team, a disparity emerged. While the Leader rated alignment at 8-9, the team averaged around 5, with an even lower score for implementing these values. This contrast became the catalyst for progress. I then facilitated team coaching and guided the team of leaders in dialogues to bridge this gap, fostering relationships and enhancing team performance.
Reflect & Act
- Take a step back at what you’ve read, what resonated for you?
- What areas of your life – work & personal life – needs more attention?
- What are 1-2 actions you can take?
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Interested in learning more about V2P?
Charmaine Moules, Founder & CEO of Visions 2 Performance (2000) has deep expertise, education, credentials and global experience working with top 100 Firms to develop Leaders and Teams to improve their personal and business success. She is a sought-after for a variety of Leader Solutions including Speaker, Executive Coach (ICF PCC – Professional Certified Coach), Leadership Strategy & Talent Management, Program Design and Development, and an Assessment Practitioner (Emotional Intelligence, Leadership DNA, Resilience, Team Effectiveness & Relationship Systems).
To learn more about how V2P’s Leadership Solutions can bring you or your team to create ripples of change, contact info@v2p.ca or connect on social platforms. We’re here to listen to what’s on your mind and to dream and help bring your visions to performance.