Improving emotional intelligence sounds like a great goal until you actually try to do it. “Become more self-aware” or “develop more empathy” may sound useful, but those goals are so broad that it is difficult to know what to practice tomorrow morning. That is why learning how to create a personal plan for emotional intelligence … Read more
Have you ever become surprisingly angry over a small comment, felt anxious after receiving a short message, or suddenly shut down during an ordinary disagreement? Sometimes the intensity of our reaction seems much bigger than the situation itself. That usually means there is more happening beneath the surface. Learning how to identify the emotional triggers … Read more
Think about the last time someone asked how you were feeling. Did you answer with something specific, such as frustrated, disappointed, nervous, or overwhelmed? Or did you simply say, “I’m fine,” “I’m stressed,” or “I feel bad”? There is a surprisingly big difference between those answers. Building a strong emotional vocabulary improves self-awareness because words … Read more
Have you ever reacted badly to a situation and only understood your feelings several hours later? Maybe you became defensive during feedback, snapped at someone over something small, or made a rushed decision because you were frustrated. The emotion itself was not necessarily the problem. The bigger issue was that you did not recognize what … Read more
Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment and immediately wished you could take it back? Or walked into a room and sensed that something felt wrong before anyone said a word? Both situations involve emotions, but handling them effectively requires more than simply having feelings. This is where emotional intelligence skills … Read more