Emotional Intelligence

In our work as facilitators and consultants, we are constantly examining individual and team performance, interpersonal skills and work processes. Inevitably, we encounter individuals who quickly internalize and demonstrate new skills and tools with preternatural ease. So what sets these people apart from their colleagues?

In 1990, when John Mayer coined the term Emotional Intelligence, he was referring to an individual's degree of optimism, conscientiousness, motivation, empathy and social competence.

We've all encountered co-workers who are decidedly intelligent, yet utterly lacking in tact; or colleagues who can't read your non-verbal cues to wrap up a long, overly-detailed story and let you get back to work.

On the flip side, some of us are lucky enough to work with people who are adept at using humor to defuse tension, or skilled at motivating teams through positive reinforcement, or possess emotional resilience and optimism during trying times.

Many of our corporate training modules address the skill sets and competencies influenced by Emotional Intelligence: Giving and Receiving Feedback, Team Decision Making, Conflict Management, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® to name a few.

In this issue of Thrive, we'll be exploring emotional intelligence and its importance in the workplace.