What comes out of you when you get squeezed?

A couple of weeks ago I was in London, and I got squeezed… I was delivering for Mike Coldicott and his brilliant team at Tricon Foodservice Consultants Ltd it was a full on three days, at the end of the second day I met with a wonderful man, Partner in a law firm, he had recently lost his son, I have a genuine affiliation with him as he is a;

‘Husband, father, son, mate and leader!’

We had a wonderful meal at ‘Manzi’s of Soho’ as I came out standing on the side of the road somebody on a moped rode past and grabbed my phone out of my hand… I had just been ‘SQUEEZED’.

You see when you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out BECAUSE that is what is inside… When you get squeezed if it is anger, fear frustration or resentment, this typically doesn’t have much to do with the squeeze… ?It has everything to do with your self-awarenes and Social Intelligence (SQ) and the way that you process and manage stress.

Social Intelligence refers to the capacity to effectively navigate and negotiate complex social relationships and environments. It involves understanding and managing interpersonal dynamics, recognizing and interpreting social cues, and responding appropriately in various social situations. This capacity encompasses several key components:

Emotional Intelligence: The ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others. This is foundational to social intelligence, as it allows for empathetic and effective communication.

1. Recognise Patterns – The skill to connect the dots and reflect on experiences in order to learn, move on and grow.
2. Optimism – ‘Consistent, considered, decisive, positive, ACTION.
3. Empathy – The ability to create understanding and connection through great questions and an intuitive appreciation for the feelings of others.

Social Awareness: The skill to accurately read social situations and understand social roles, norms, and contexts. This includes picking up on subtle social cues, such as body language and facial expressions, and understanding how they fit into broader social dynamics.

Communication Skills: The ability to convey one's thoughts and feelings effectively, as well as to listen and respond to others in a way that fosters open, respectful, and meaningful interactions.

Interpersonal Skills: These are the skills used to interact with others in a positive, cooperative, and productive manner. It includes the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, work well in teams, and navigate conflicts constructively.

Self-Presentation: Understanding how to present oneself in various social contexts in a manner that is appropriate and conducive to achieving personal and professional goals.

Influence and Leadership: The capacity to guide, inspire, or persuade others in a social context, which relies heavily on one's ability to understand and motivate people.

Character - qualities that are fundamental to the leader as a person, to his/her identity, and give us

1.??? Character - qualities that are fundamental to the leader as a person, to his/her identity, and give us reason to trust him/her.

2.??? Substance - cultivated qualities of leadership that inspire commitment, inform action, and lead to above - and-beyond performance.

3.??? Style - overt, skill-based patterns of communicative leadership that build motivation and that shape and sustain performance.

Social intelligence (SQ) brilliantly is not fixed; it can be developed and enhanced through experiences, reflection, and learning. SQ is the most dynamic form of intelligence and in this emerging post-COVID world has never been more important.

?Improving social intelligence leads to better personal relationships, enhanced performance, increased influence in professional settings, and overall improved well-being.

?‘The people that make the biggest difference in the world prioritise connection over everything else!’ – Dave Asprey

In this high paced world with so many external expectations and challenges coming at you from 360 degrees it is so easy to ‘blame the squeeze or the squeezer’ – The reality is just like the orange when we get squeezed it is what is inside that comes out.

What are the rituals that open up the space that increase the quality of your responses to the inevitable squeezes that happen in your life and build your SQ?

The metaphor of "what comes out when you're squeezed" beautifully illustrates how individuals respond to stress or pressure, revealing much about their emotional and social intelligence.

When faced with challenging situations, the nature of one's reaction - whether it's anger, fear, frustration, or resentment - often speaks volumes about ‘an inner turmoil or insecurity’ ?- Self-awareness, emotional regulation, and ability to navigate social complexities.

Rather than the external pressures or ‘The Squeeze’ it's one's internal state and developed competencies in managing emotions that primarily dictate the response.

To enhance the quality of responses to life's inevitable pressures and improve overall emotional and social intelligence, incorporating certain rituals and practices can be change YOU and your game.

‘Rituals: Strengths-Based Behaviours, Practiced on Purpose and Positioned to Enhance Engagement, Performance, Success and Happiness’

Here are a few rituals that create impact:

Mindfulness and Meditation:

Regular practice can help increase self-awareness, enabling individuals to recognize their emotions as they arise. This awareness creates a space between feeling and reaction, allowing for more thoughtful responses.

Reflective Journaling:

Writing about daily experiences and the emotions they evoke can improve emotional intelligence by fostering a deeper understanding of one's emotional patterns and triggers.

Emotional Regulation Techniques:

Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization can help manage emotional responses in the moment, reducing the intensity of negative reactions.

?Developing Empathy:

?Actively practicing empathy by trying to understand experiences from others' perspectives can enhance social intelligence, improving how one relates to and communicates with others.

Setting Boundaries:

?Learning to set healthy boundaries with others can prevent overcommitment and reduce stress, making one less susceptible to negative reactions when pressed.

Physical Exercise:

Regular physical activity can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase resilience, leading to better emotional and social intelligence over time.

Social Support:

?Cultivating strong, supportive relationships, a sense of ‘community and belonging’ can provide an outlet for discussing and processing emotions, reducing the impact of stress and enhancing social intelligence.

Continuous Learning:

Seeking feedback on one's behavior and reactions in social contexts, and learning more about emotional and social intelligence, can lead to growth and improvement in these areas.

Incorporating these rituals into daily life doesn't just help manage stress or external pressures more effectively; it also contributes to personal growth, enhancing one's ability to navigate the complexities of relationships and social situations with grace and resilience.

2b Limitless bases its process on;

RITUALS

• Unique – What are those rituals that are the very best of you?
• Mind – What are those rituals that get you in the right headspace tosucceed - exposing you to new information and experiences?
• Body – What are the physical rituals that provide the base to thrive?
• Social – 95% of the viscosity of your success is down to your sense ofbelonging and the community with which you interact.? What are therituals that provide this lubrication?
• Professional – What are the key anchor points in a great ‘work week’? –Building Clarity and Raising Expectations.
• Adaptive – What will you do this week to build in change and createmomentum?? Remember, ‘If nothing changes . . . Nothing changes!’?

What are you like when you are squeezed?

?Footnote: So, how did I respond to the squeeze… After the initial shock, I pulled out my other phone and went to ‘find my i-phone’ locked the phone erased the phone and LAUGHED. You see it was just a phone and the dinner that I had with my mate in London was so much more important.

‘The Squeeze… That is my juice!’

?Because… ‘The Squeeze’ needs you at your best!’ - 2b Limitless

2b Limitless is a Global High-Performance Coaching, Coach Certification and Training Business founded in Dubai by Mick Todd and led by Mick and Peter Charles Turner surrounded by a world-class support team and Executive Coaches in the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and Africa whom are all 2b Limitless Accredited Performance Coaches (2bAPC), 2b Limitless is dedicated to bringing the very best version of individuals, teams and organisations to life. We have delivered in over 40 countries around the world.

We have a world class, team of highly experienced, trained and certified coaches.

David Labouchere OBE, Victoria Tipper , Guido de Wilde , Olga Cassidy , Ciarán McBreen (Middle East), Tony Martin (Australia and New Zealand), Melda Yasar Cebe and Jack Wolstencroft (Asia), Garreth Ewing (South Africa) Ian Ward and Patrick Harrison (UK and Europe).

#strengths #engagement #performance #transformation #coaching #training #2byb #2bapc #2bLEAP #2bLC #2bUYS #2blimitless #connection #experience -?https://www.2blimitless.com

‘Because… Your world, needs you at your best!’ - 2b Limitless .

To learn more about 2b Limitless and how you can navigate ‘The Squeeze’ contact Olivia Marshall -?[email protected]

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