What is EQ & Why Does it Matter?
EQ, or emotional intelligence, is the blending of thinking and feeling to make optimal decisions. It is a learnable, changeable skill that is a part of all we do. To ignore it or not understand it is detrimental to realizing our full potential as well as a barrier to healthy relationships with ourselves and others.
EQ [Emotional Intelligence] skills help drive
Effectiveness- generate results
Relationships- build and maintain networks
Wellbeing- maintain optimal energy and functioning
Quality of life- find satisfaction in a life well lived
Feelings are messages about opportunities and challenges.
LEAVE EMOTION OUT OF IT!
Many have been told emotions have no place in decision making or business or politics or the classroom or, or, or. But trying to extract emotions out of any human-based decision is impossible. Our body registers emotions before our brain does. Ever had a “gut” feeling or butterflies in your stomach? This is your body speaking your emotions. It is not only impossible to take emotions out of it but it’s unwise as well. Our emotions are data points that give us information about how we can interpret something. Ever gotten a knot in your low back or a stiff neck after a stressful event or interaction? That is a form of holding an emotion in your body.
So if you emotions are present, then it makes sense to use them to their fullest potential. Untapping your insight into your emotions will empower you to make intentional decisions. Think about a time when you responded in a less-than-optimal way. EQ helps you to change that behavior pattern.
AREAS OF EQ
There are eight areas of EQ described by the Six Seconds model:
Emotional literacy
Patterns recognition
Consequential thinking
Assess and transform emotions
Intrinsic motivation
Empathy
Noble goal / sense of purpose