Episode 138. Emotional Intelligence with Shawn Price
Emotional intelligence (EI) also known as EQ, is the ability to perceive, understand and manage emotions in positive ways to communicate effectively, empathise with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict as well as to relieve stress. Emotional intelligence helps build stronger relationships, achieve personal career goals, and interact more positively at work. It gives us an ability to join intelligence, empathy, and emotions to enhance thought and understanding of interpersonal dynamics, guiding our thinking and behaviour. For as in Shakespeare’s Hamlet - 'there is nothing either good nor bad but thinking makes it so'.
The term EI first appeared in writing in 1964 and was popularised by Daniel Goleman in his book titled Emotional Intelligence published in 1995 in which he applied the concept especially to business defining the term as an array of skills and characteristics that drive leadership and performance. EI is commonly defined by four domains or attributes including:
1. Self-Awareness-Understanding what you are feeling and why and appreciating your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Self-Management- The ability to control impulsive feelings and behaviours, adapt to changing circumstances and manage emotions in healthy ways. This is also referred to as self-regulation and points to a positive outlook and achievement.
3. Social awareness -Including the concept of empathy which helps us understand the emotions, needs and concerns of others. Developing social awareness allows us to recognise the power dynamics in a group or organisation.
4. Relationship management-Which encompasses conflict management, coaching and mentorship and encourages the development of teamwork through inspirational leadership.
There are several excellent books on the subject of emotional intelligence including: Achieving Emotional Literacy by Claude Steiner,
'How Emotions are Made' by Lisa Feldman Barrett, Emotional Agility by Susan David and Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence.
I was curious to explore this topic in more detail and was privileged recently to meet Shawn Price who is an expert in this field.
Shawn initially trained as a mathematician but was drawn to the study of psychology and especially emotional intelligence recognising its important application to both business, families, and individuals.
Shawn now manages his company Positive Intelligence from where he coaches and consults privately as well as being engaged by industry and large organisations to run workshops and lecture programs on this important subject. Please welcome Shawn to the podcast.
References: Shawn Price: Positive Intelligence. www.positiveintelligence.com.au
Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman.
ISBN:9780553804911 Emotional Intelligence;
www.helpguide.org/ Segal, Robinson and Shubin Emotional Intelligence has 12 Elements.
Which do you need to work on? Harvard Business Review. Feb 06,2017. Goleman and Boyatzis