Discussions around stress, conflict absenteeism and mental illness are dominating headlines and at times discussion, in the boardroom. Often, even though staff are at their desk, they are actually absent – primarily due to distraction. So how can we help manage their thinking? It is my belief that when we think and behave emotionally intelligently, we can off-set some barriers and fears that fundamentally impact the output and profits of your business.

{ MOTIVATIONAL THINKING }

By Sarah HopwoodBusiness Consultant, International Speaker, TV Presenter, Voiceover Artist and Cruise Lecturer. www.sarahhopwppd.com

THE POWER OF EMPATHY

So what is EQ, Emotional Quotient – better

known as emotional intelligence?

EQ is the ability to identify and manage the

relationship we have with others and ourselves.

The key word is Empathy; sensing others’

feelings and perspectives – taking an active

interest in their concerns. Empathy is stronger

and more intimate than sympathy: incorporating

the ability to acknowledge with understanding.

E-motion really means energy put into

motion, the ability to generate, use and feel

emotions to communicate feelings – or employ

them in thinking and creating. Emotions come

from our thoughts. If we don’t like what we are

feeling we can go back and change that thought.

How can EQ help your business generate better

long-standing results?

In business leadership ‘IQ’ is well established.

The significance of ‘EQ’ is also a key component

of both great leadership and sustainable

business results, yet not as well recognised in

many organisations.

EQ empowers us to deal with the cause of a

problem, rather than the effect. We will make

better decisions by responding, rather than

reacting. This helps us so much when coaching

staff, managing conflict, staff promotions, the

recruitment and sales process and recognise

emotions – therefore a true insight and

understanding of what is really happening.

When it comes to marketing, understanding

multiple intelligences will empower you to

market to each of the intelligences and in so

doing, throwing your net wide empowering you

to beat your competitors.

Using EQ incorporates left field thinking. It

allows you to unpack what the real issues are

instead of shuffling papers round the boardroom

table – usually looking good, but actually not

dealing with root problems.

Can EQ be taught?

Daniel Goleman published ‘Emotional

Intelligence: why it can matter more the IQ’ in

1995 – it was a best seller so many of you will

be familiar with his work.

He talks about personal & social

competencies.

Goleman argues the traditional cognitive way

of teaching doesn’t work – but working within

our inner core does. It is all linked to our ‘why’.

Seth Godin wrote about Blue Ocean Strategy

and it really is a good read. I work in the space

between IQ and EQ believing I work in Blue

Ocean. The space helps you see, taste, smell,

touch and feel your blue ocean and how to get

there.

Many businesses are investing thousands in

stress reduction learning; it is well known that

‘absent from your desk’ does not mean you are

out the building. To access EQ we need space

and time (at times play) giving the ability to

suspend judgments, be in the ‘now’ and then

reflect.

Technical ability often stands at the

forefront of business leaders; I am suggesting

understanding emotion is just as powerful as

understanding those technical abilities. Doing

what is right is a must. We are responsible for

our choices, decisions and actions; meaning a

person with high EQ will have more trust and

confidence in themselves. These people are

good at living as ‘human beings’ and not as

so many – trying to be ‘human doings’. These

people are invariably found in mediation, prayer

or moments of mindfulness.

I really like Peter Shepherd words about EQ:

“You are responsible for your choices, decisions

and actions; for being true to your judgment;

for communicating with honesty and integrity,

developing and maintaining an open mind, and

promoting understanding and empathy; for

never compromising your freedoms and rights

nor trampling on another’s; for always acting

from the primary motivation of love. That’s all

and quite enough.”

“Empathy is stronger and more intimate

than sympathy, with the ability to acknowledge with

understanding”