Do you consider yourself emotionally intelligent? How do you measure emotional intelligence, and how can you use it to your benefit as an entrepreneur?
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Today, I’m speaking with Cindy Sparrow about emotional intelligence. Specifically, what emotional intelligence is, and how we change as we grow.
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What is Emotional Intelligence?
- A set of social and emotional skills that influence how we view ourselves, our world, and how we respond to and impact the people and systems around us
- How we use emotional information and in an effective and meaningful way
- Emotions and thought happen at the same time so emotional intelligence is an essential life skill
How Does Emotional Intelligence Show Up in Our Businesses?
- It is relevant no matter what sector we work in
- Emotional intelligence skills are critical for building relationships, teams, leading effectively, resolving conflict, and building resilience
- These are all essential for what we do as Director of Operations (DOOs)
- How we show up as leaders in our businesses is no different than how we show up in our personal lives
- We are natural leaders by virtue of who we are so all these tools that help us find out more about who we are are so important
- It’s not a set amount you are born with; you are malleable
- She uses emotional intelligence assessments
- It measures a snapshot in time in which several things could be affecting it at the time
- Five key themes of Emotional Intelligence: self perceptions, self expression, interpersonal relationships, decision making abilities, and stress management
- The power is in knowing where you are at; and understanding where you are high/low in each of those core themes
Different Ways Pain May be Showing Up in Your Life
- You can have a well developed sense of self perception or decision making skills, but there may be other areas that are lacking
- For example, you have probably been the victim of someone’s lack of emotional intelligence, where you have to manage someone else’s emotions before you can get through to them
- There are other insidious ways it can creep up on you as a service provider
- You’re overstressed
- You’re burned out
- You’re overworked
- Lack of boundaries
- Having high standards
- Lack of trust
- Feeling ashamed about not being able to rely on people
- Avoiding difficult conversations
Emotional Intelligence and Change
- DOOs are helping people move through change all of the time
- 70% of change efforts fail because we fail to bring people along for the ride
- Emotional intelligence is core in helping people navigate through change, and creating high performers
- Because we are service minded, and we can be conflict avoidant at times; we need to look at what opportunities we are holding someone back from developing by not having that brave conversation
“Some of the bravest conversations we have as an emotionally intelligent leader come from a place of love and nurturing.” – Cindy Sparrow
How Do You Help Emerging Leaders to Become Better at Perfecting Their Gifts?
- She uses EQ assessment as a core tool to help leaders revolve
- Knowing where their at in their EQ helps her set up her coaching program in leadership development one one to one executive coaching
- It’s about helping them achieve a well developed EQ and know where they are starting from
- They can get quick wins, recognizing the ways they show up to their team and the impact of it
- When leaders have well developed emotional intelligence, their followers actually start to show up that way too; you end up modeling to them
What are Some Tactical Tips on Emotional Intelligence?
- Take a pause when something triggers you, and process before you respond
- Recognize our triggers
- Seek to understand; take a moment to view things from another’s perspective
- Communicate effectively, and remember that 60% of communication is body language
- Get an assessment by a certified practitioner who is qualified and able to work with you and give you feedback and support in developing
“When you seek to understand… it helps you wrap your head around what you need to do next.” – Cindy Sparrow
Connect with Cindy
Cindy is Partner & Principal Consultant of Consort Strategy, a transatlantic North America & UK based company supporting public safety, public, non-profit, charity and association sectors in organizational excellence, leadership, strategy, and growth. She has a Master’s Degree in Leadership, is a certified trauma and resilience educator, and an EQi practitioner. She has over 25 years experience in Emergency Services from frontline roles to a Deputy Chief leading teams in 9-1-1, Fire, EMS and Police. Cindy is an international consultant, coach, trainer, speaker and author. Through her expertise in leadership and resilience, combined with her passion for people, she helps individuals and organizations realize and lean into their full potential to create massive breakthroughs in performance, success and growth. She is a transformation and personal mastery junkie who loves lifelong learning and takes strides to constantly become the best version of herself.
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