Lecture
3
Developing Emotional Intelligence
The traditional view of intelligence is that some people are simply
smarter than others; that is, they know more, can think better, and
are good problem solvers. In recent times, another type of intelligence
has come to be valued as well. This type of intelligence is called
emotional intelligence. For people in business, education, and other
fields that require working with others, emotional intelligence is
more important than you might realize.
The Emotionally Intelligent Person
Daniel Goleman, author of the book, Working with Emotional Intelligence (London:
Bloomsbury, 1999), has developed what he calls The Emotional Competence Framework.
This framework can be divided into the two categories of 1) personal and 2)
social competence. Personal competence involves self-awareness, self-regulation,
and motivation. Social competence involves empathy and social skills.
Let us look first at personal competence, which has to do with
how we manage ourselves.
Self
awareness means knowing your own internal states, preferences,
resources, and intuitions. Ask yourself these questions: "How
would I describe myself? What characteristics about me are worth
knowing? How would I describe my physical, social, and emotional
characteristics? What are some of my capabilities?"
Self regulation refers to how well you can manage your impulses and abilities.
This includes self-control, keeping your temper, being trustworthy, and taking
personal responsibility for your actions. It also includes being comfortable
with others, even when they disagree with you or when they have different ideas.
Motivation is defined as your desire to accomplish goals. Motivation includes
your desire for excellence, for commitment to a task, and for the will to overcome
obstacles. A motivated person shows initiative and desire to succeed. In a
workplace or school, motivated persons realize that teamwork is necessary to
achieve important goals.
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In addition to self-awareness, emotional intelligence includes
social competence. Businesses and schools are social places. At least
they ought to be. They are places where working with others is absolutely
necessary to higher levels of success.
Empathy is a necessary condition of social competence. Empathy is defined as
an awareness of others' feelings, needs, and concerns. Empathy includes understanding
others, that is, showing interest in the concerns, feelings, and perspectives
of other people. Empathy also includes what is called a "service orientation." Successful
business people and successful teachers realize that it is important to serve
those they lead and work with. This means showing consideration, being polite,
being a good listener, and allowing others to express themselves.
It has been shown that some people who have technical skills, but who lack
social skills, fail to succeed in the workplace. We need to get along with
others in life. Social skills include cooperation, leadership, listening, politeness,
kindness, and team work. A person with social skills works hard at building
relationships with others. A person with social skills enjoys being part of
a team. Technical skills are important, to be sure. The well-rounded individual
has both technical and social skills.
Conclusion:
The philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote that "it
is by doing good that we become good." This wise advice
serves to remind us that we become skilled at those things
we take seriously and practice. The only way we can improve
our personal and social competence is to practice self-awareness,
self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
In time these skills can become part of your nature.
Questions to Discuss with Others:
- Why do you think people with emotional intelligence are
successful in the workplace?
- What are some of your own strengths that could make a team
at work or school successful?
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