As we stare down the last days of 2017, let’s stroll down memory lane and look back at some of the popular content I’ve already created on the TalentGrow blog. According to my website traffic statistics, what were the top 10 most visited blog posts in 2017?
Drumroll please….
Plus, an announcement about what will change in 2018. Check it out!
Read MoreMaybe your particular upcoming critical conversation doesn’t involve a rude conversation counterpart like the one in the story I tell in this blog post. But regardless, it’s got your attention and you’re probably feeling anxiety-ridden about it. It’s got you in its grip, am I right?
So when you know that you have an upcoming challenging conversation that may lead to conflict, disappointment, and/or disagreement (initially), how do you manage your own emotions effectively to stay productive and not get caught up in the emotional reaction swirl of fight, flight, or freeze?
The key to not reacting emotionally in critical conversations is to learn to regulate our emotions. Here are three tricks from research to help us regulate our emotions during critical conversations:
Read MoreYou've heard the term emotional intelligence (aka EQ) bandied around. Do you know what it means? If not, you might have fallen for the common myth that being emotionally intelligent means being more emotional. That's really not the case. What being emotionally intelligent actually means is becoming more aware of your own and others' emotions, increasing your capacity to manage your own emotions and take into account those of others, so that you can increase your ability to be more, not less, rational in your actions. Your communication and your relationships will improve when you harness your emotional intelligence!
Read this post to learn more about what EQ is and how to harness it for improved communication.
Read MoreOur brains experience an emotional reaction to any situation BEFORE we can experience a single rational thought about it. Therefore, it's impossible to 'leave your emotions at the door'. Instead, become more emotionally intelligent: learn to become aware of your emotions and override your 'gut reactions' with rational analysis and self-regulation. In addition, learn to increase your awareness of others' emotions and incorporate this data into your communication strategies to enhance your results.
Read MoreI've just successfully completed a certification program in the most popular of all Emotional Intelligence tools -- the EQ-i or Emotional Quotient Inventory. The program was excellent and I enjoyed learning and growing my skills and knowledge - it's one of my favorite things to do, considering 'Love of Learning' is my #3 signature strength! (I've discussed it here.)
While I've been using the concepts of Emotional Intelligence in my work for years and am already certified in another EQ instrument, the Index on Emotional Intelligence, this new certification fortifies my understanding and ability to help leaders, teams, organizations and individuals become more effective in all aspects of work and life.
This instrument, based on the Model of Emotional Intelligence formulated by clinical psychologist, Reuven Bar-On, PhD, is administered online and is valid and reliable. It is actionable: it offers a rich portrait of how engaged we are with each of fifteen behaviors and habits that allow us to use emotions in a rational, positive, and constructive way that helps us build healthy and productive relationships. In working with it, we can better understand ourselves and identify and prioritize ways to improve our effectiveness and satisfaction by letting emotions (our own and others') work FOR us instead of AGAINST us.
If you would like to learn more about this tool and how it can help you and your organization become more effective, please call us for a free consultation today.
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Harness the power of your emotional intelligence!
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