These days, everyone is talking about “emotional intelligence”. What really is it, though? In today’s blog post, I define emotional intelligence and offer step-by-step guidelines for how to secure a sustainable Emotional IQ. I will also share how you can improve your business etiquette skills here in Dallas. For a few minutes, stop to think about the things in your life that trip you up emotionally…and how you react to the needs of others. Are emotions even relevant in the business world and how do they connect to manners?
What is Emotional Intelligence and How Can I Gain It?
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to read and feel the needs of those who surround you. Emotional intelligence gives you the ability to react appropriately in a problem-solving manner that is beneficial to others.
As an etiquette expert, I have years of experience from training individuals as well as corporate teams in etiquette and manners. I’ve also worked hard to learn from other professionals in classrooms across London, Paris and Washington D.C. Through this time, it has become clear to me that one cannot be emotionally intelligent without God. Why? Because we are living in a godless society where everyone lives for themselves. After all, anxiety is at a peak and seven billion dollars a year is spent on anti-anxiety drugs. We have been programmed to focus only at ourselves and not to worry about the needs of others. As a result, when the “walls of Jericho come tumbling down”, we cannot cope.
With this in mind, how do we attain emotional intelligence? One important way is through prayer. Prayer transforms our heart so we can hear and feel the needs of others. It opens our spirit and heart to see and feel the needs of not only those we come in contact with, but also with those in our world.
Secondly, emotional intelligence involves the ability to obey. A person with Emotional IQ will listen, observe and obey. Yes, this means obeying God’s law, obeying parental instruction and obeying your employer. By obedience, you show that you have the self-discipline to do the right thing and not live in rebellion. Emotional intelligence includes the ability to obey when no one is looking and the ability to obey when one does not feel like it.
Next, if you are working to attain emotional intelligence, live your life with transparency. This brings trust…a valuable asset in personal life matters and in the business world. Transparency and trust bond relationships, fill in communication gaps and help everyone around you to feel secure and safe. We must live our lives with transparency so that we can achieve sustainability in all of our relationships.
Of course, we cannot forget gratitude. Gratitude enables us to focus on the positive so we can project kindness to others. One cannot just “be” kind. There is no power behind an act of kindness without intent. Essentially, you must work at gratitude to attain it. To do this, one must stop and give thanks each day for all. Then, with that foundation of gratitude in place, you will be able to project proper emotions.
Finally, we may hear a lot of catchphrases today and about the need for meditation, but without God, prayer, obedience, transparency and gratitude, our Emotional IQ will never reach its full potential.
Seeking an Expert to Help Your Corporate Team with Business Etiquette and Social Skills?
Lisa Burdette is a Dallas expert in private and group business etiquette training for corporate teams. She has worked with corporate clients such as Toyota Corporation, The University of Texas at Dallas, TEXO (The Construction Association) and others to assist with workplace etiquette training and workshops. In addition, Lisa has successfully helped many individuals with polishing their professional image and increasing their personal confidence at work, in school and in their personal lives.
Ready to elevate your employees’ networking and social skills at your company’s next dinner or client meeting? Reach out via our Contact page or Book Online and request your session with Lisa today!
