#PV - EI

By John R. Nocero and Sandy Abell

?JRN: Sandy, I had a chance to write a piece on Emotional Intelligence with my QD Partner this month. Emotional Intelligence, or EI, is the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. It can include some select skills, maybe the most important being staying emotionally centered and composed, and helping your colleagues do the same. Because people in EI are so aware of their emotional state, they manage their own emotions more effectively even in stressful situations. This meaning thinking before doing and not acting impulsively.

Sandy, what are your thoughts on EI at the workplace?

Sandy - Great topic John!?Of course, since I’m a therapist and coach I’m hugely aware of emotions, both mine and others.?Since people have feelings about everything, it’s important to be able to identify and work with them.?If a person is out of touch with how they feel, it usually turns out that they are controlled by feelings, which influence perception, decisions, behavior, and attitude.

?When you are aware of your feelings and able to work with them, you feel in control of yourself, which creates the high levels of self-confidence you mentioned.?

?Being in tune with how others are feeling is a great help in all relationships.?It doesn’t matter if you’re at work or home or out in the community, if you’re aware that someone is struggling with something you can respond with compassion and support instead of annoyance and anger.?If you sense they are happy you can celebrate with them.

?When you use your emotional intelligence, you show people you really see them, which goes a long way towards building a positive relationship.

?The bottom line is that being emotionally intelligent is a wonderful skill, and helps improve how you feel about yourself and others.