EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE CONT’D.

Haven discussed the various emotions yesterday, let us examine how the human brain works with emotions. There are three layers of the brain; the reflex brain, which takes unconscious or automatic actions; the limbic system, where emotions are generated and the rational brain which helps us in thinking and decision-making. The rational brain is also called the neocortex. 

The limbic brain, being the house of emotions is located at the center of the brain and contains the amygdala, the core of emotions. To effectively take charge of one’s emotions, the person must have control over the amygdala, and it is then that one is said to be emotionally intelligent. Lack of control of the amygdala leads to emotional hijacking.

The capacity to perceive, control and express one’s emotions and to decode and respond appropriately to the emotions of others is the foundation of emotional intelligence. There are four key competencies of emotional quotient: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.

Self-Awareness is the ability to perceive your emotions and understand your tendencies across situations. High social awareness shows up as self-confidence, awareness of your emotional state, and recognizing how your behavior impacts others

Self-management is the ability to use emotional awareness to control emotions and direct behaviors. High self-management shows up as the ability to control impulsive behaviors, patience, and Handle conflict effectively.

Social awareness is the ability to pick up emotions in others and your environment and sing the same to understand what is happening. An example of a demonstration of social awareness is when we care about what others are going through, their thoughts, and their opinions. Social awareness is being socially and culturally intelligent

Relationship management is the ability to use self and social awareness to manage interactions and develop others. High relationship management skill reflects getting along well with other, expressing ideas and information clearly, clearly expressing ideas/information, and managing with empathy and fairness.

As we earlier mentioned that emotional intelligence is the order of the day. Leaders who display a high level of emotional quotient are usually trailblazers. The following are ways by which one can increase his or her emotional quotient:

1. Keeping stress level low
2. Having adequate sleep and rest.
3. Exercise the body
4. Having high agility (being flexible with your thoughts and feelings so that you can respond optimally to everyday situations).
5. Manage anger by keeping quiet, practicing impulse control, singing, walking away, etc.
6. Paying attention to body language and being attentive to the opinions of others.
7. Developing a consciousness of gratitude.

Emotional intelligence has helped me a lot; before the lessons, I could say I scored a 50% on this competence but since my newly acquired knowledge of emotional intelligence, I try daily not to be hijacked, and I am a better listener and have given thoughts to so many ideas suggested by others.

#MEMBA 11