Introduction to Emotional Intelligence North Carolina Local Government

Introduction to Emotional Intelligence North Carolina Local Government Investment Association Summer Conference July 24 th, 2019

Activity • In small groups, please discuss: – What is emotional intelligence? – What is it important in the work you do? – What do you know about EI? – What do you want to know?

Johari Window

What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence is a set of emotional and social skills that collectively establish how well we: • Perceive and express ourselves • Develop and maintain social relationships • Cope with challenges and make effective decisions • Use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way

Emotional Intelligence • About being aware of your emotions • About being aware of the impact of your emotions on your self (and your decisions) as well as how effective you are with others. • So……. What’s up with emotions?

Where do emotions begin? • Two places really: – The stories we tell ourselves – Limbic area of the brain (reactive) • Fight, flight, freeze or nurture! • Emotions are processed in the higher areas of the brain. So, not the limbic system-think frontal cortex. • So, we can learn to be more emotionally intelligent.

Barriers: Triggers • Activity: Think of a person (or two) that you have negative reactions toward. • Identify your reactions(emotional/physical). • Does it come from a thought or feeling? • Identify what is underneath your reactions. Name it. • Pair and share. • Be prepared to report out.

Triggers • What are some of the things that “trigger” you? Some things you react to?

Let’s brainstorm…. • Descriptors of an emotionally intelligent individual……

The EQ-i 2. 0 Model

What Does it Measure? The EQ-i 2. 0 measures five distinct aspects of emotional and social functioning: • Self-Perception – understanding your emotions • Self-Expression – expressing your emotions • Interpersonal – develop and maintain relationships • Decision Making – use emotions to make better decisions • Stress Management – cope with challenges

Self-Perception Consists of the following sub-categories: • Self-Regard – confidence • Self-Actualization – continuous development • Emotional Self-Awareness – understanding my emotions

Self - Expression Consists of the following: • Emotional Expression – saying how you feel • Assertiveness – standing up for yourself effectively • Independence – standing on your own two feet

Interpersonal Consists of the following: • Interpersonal Relationships – developing and maintaining good relationships • Empathy – recognizing and appreciating how others feel • Social Responsibility – contributing to society

Decision Making Consists of the following: • Problem Solving – effectively managing emotions when solving problems • Reality Testing – seeing things as they really are • Impulse Control – ability to resist or delay impulses

Stress Management Consists of the following: • Flexibility – adapting to change effectively • Stress Tolerance – successfully coping with stressful situations • Optimism – having a positive outlook

Happiness • • Feeling satisfied, enjoying life An indicator of overall well-being Not included in overall EQ-i 2. 0 results Impacts overall EQ-i 2. 0, closely linked to: – Self-Regard – Optimism – Interpersonal Relationships – Self-Actualization

Thoughts and Feelings • EI effectively blends thinking and feeling so that you can make better decisions.

The EQi: Quick Facts • The higher your score the better. – Over 110 -high – 90 -109 -ok, but could use some work – Less than 89 -need improvement • The relationship between scores is important. A gap of more than 10 points represents a pattern of behavior. For example, high assertive, low impulse control and low reality testing.

Activity • List the top 5 subscales you think you need to leverage in order to be effective in your role. • Pair and share. • Debrief.

Activity • What are the 5 subscales do you think you would score highest on? • What are the 5 subscales do you thinkyou would score lowest on? • What is the impact on your performance (as far as you might tell)? – For both higher and lower scoring subscales?

Let’s Look at a Sample Report • Review Mock Summary Page – What do you notice? • What are you learning? Any surprises?

Thank you!