Several years ago my family traveled from Phoenix, AZ to camp at “Big Basin”,  which is in the Redwoods of Northern Cal.  To take advantage of the time in the van my wife and I decided to listen to Daniel Goleman’s book Emotional Intelligence on CD.  We discussed the case studies with our then 8 and 10-year old, who were very curious about the topic.

The thing I remember from that research and others since, is that EQ is flexible and can be developed, in contrast to IQ.  In fact, I’ve witnessed how EQ can be developed personally, with my kids and leaders I coach – over and over again.

Recently, I came across a simple framework for EQ that I want to pass-on.  In their book entitled, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves (p.24), they discovered four skills that comprise EQ, as illustrated above:

The top two skills, self-awareness and self-management, are more about you.  The two bottom skills, social awareness and relationship management, are more about how you are with other people.

EQ is a powerful force.  EQ can be developed, like a muscle – over time.  Here are three questions to help you harness your EQ:

  1. Identify one skill from the illustration above that you will work on this week?
  2. What will you do to develop that skill and when?
  3. How will you assess your progress?

With intention, action and review, EQ can be developed.  If you would like more information, click on Emotional Intelligence.  Then scroll down the page and expand the menu of resources.

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