More On EQ Or EI (Emotional Intelligence)

Introduction

"...when faced with uncertainty, we are hardwired to respond defensively and inflexibly. We need EI to get past those outdated survival instincts and to stay agile in the face of adversity..."
Jo Maddocks, 2022

To handle the challenge of uncertainty caused by the rapidly changing technology and impact of the pandemic, you need to be flexible. However, uncertainty is more likely to have the opposite effect, ie causing rigid, defensive and inflexible behaviours. You are likely to prefer defensive positions and behaviours to protect yourself from more negative or uncomfortable feelings; it is a coping mechanism that distorts your perception of reality so that you can feel better about yourself. Some mechanisms include:

- pretending that everything is okay when it is not

- self blaming

- seeking to please others

- reverting to perfectionism

- blaming others

- becoming angry, etc

You need to be aware of your defensive behaviours, especially when under stress, and identify ways to operate effectively. This is where EI Is important.

"...EI is concerned with how people manage themselves to be both personally and interpersonally effective. It is the practice of making best use of who you are, your resources and your potential. And a key attribute of EI is how effectively people manage themselves to achieve their desired outcomes. This includes the degree to which they feel able to adapt their thinking and behaviour to changing situations......EI Is based on attitudes, habits and skills that can be learned and unlearned..."
Jo Maddocks, 2022

EI can help you manage your innate personality traits and to move outside your zones of comfort, changes ingrained habits and adopt new attitudes. It is about becoming a fully integrated human being; self-regard is a key element plus regard for others.

Linked with EI is

- flexibility (including changing the leadership style to suit the situation; includes being responsive and adaptable to different situations)

- awareness of others (so that you know how to approach them; give correct level of autonomy)

- reflective learning (how to get them on side; show empathy; listen attentively and observe body language, tone of voice; Be prepared to improve, learn and grow; actively seek feedback; regularly reflect, ie how could you prepare and respond differently next time)

NB
"...high EI are more likely to create a climate that is visioning, stretching, encouraging, collaborative and trusting. And less likely to create a climate that is aggressive, demanding, over-competitive and rigid..."
Jo Maddocks, 2022
(for more detail, see elsewhere in the Knowledge Base)