The Competencies of Emotional Intelligence

Do you ever catch yourself believing those lingering negative comments from the past? Eric addresses how these can form neural pathways, influencing our reality and emotional responses, and both he and Jeff explore how you can rewrite this narrative.They also touch on the bigger EQ picture—from the simplicity yet profoundness of a noble goal, the strategic navigation of your emotional GPS, the anchoring power of intrinsic motivation and optimism, to the practice of consequential thinking.Top TakeawaysAccurately identifying and interpreting one's own feelings, as well as those of others, is a fundamental competency of emotional intelligence. Belief in negative comments from one's past can lead to the formation of neural pathways that establish a distorted 'reality'. Addressing one's vulnerability and acknowledging the need for reassurance play a significant role in managing concerns and emotions rather than dismissing or avoiding them.Identifying negative emotional patterns and understanding their impact on behavior are crucial steps in improving emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence involves applying consequential thinking, which is about weighing the costs and benefits of choices and understanding their long-term effects. Aligning actions to personal values and finding one's noble goal can provide clarity and purpose. Like using a GPS for emotional guidance, strategic use of emotions involves recognizing where one is emotionally and deliberately using that knowledge to navigate complex situations.Empathy is key to emotional intelligence and involves a deep understanding of and responding to others' emotions. Recognizing and being honest about one's capacity for empathy and support—towards both oneself and others—is important. Developing emotional intelligence is not just about gaining knowledge but actively practicing it through recognizing and navigating emotions, understanding patterns, and evaluating consequences. It's a continuous process of self-reflection and personal growth.Memorable Moments00:00 Experience updates, changes and restarting podcast series.10:03 Literate in navigating complexities, but avoiding trauma.12:54 Recent conversation with wife about childhood traumas.20:02 Apple TV Plus features classic Charlie Brown content.25:24 Value of self-reflection and curiosity in growth.30:44 Deflecting compliments due to past negative experiences.36:28 Struggle between analysis paralysis and impulsive decisions.37:29 Different roles in life and work described.46:39 3 competencies for each: know, choose, give.48:47 Understanding emotions enhances navigation and management.55:20 Recognize value and reflect on personal journey.01:00:40 Questioning optimism, problem-solving perspective in engineering industry.01:06:36 Embracing mistakes, learning, and cultural dysfunction.01:10:03 Empathy requires understanding and active listening.01:16:21 Recognizing signs, seeking help, fostering self-awareness.01:21:11 Overpowering influences can hinder better decision-making.01:26:20 Encountering problems and opportunities shapes happiness.01:30:26 Seminars, workshops, coaching - all for you.In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at [email protected], or go to their website, Spirit of EQ.You can follow The Spirit of EQ Podcast on