The Boss Show

Workplace wisdom with heart and humor

April 21, 2011

Making It Real: Emotional Intelligence

By Steve Motenko

If you’re a boss, read Primal Leadership, by Daniel Goleman et al, to really get how critical Emotional Intelligence is to leadership – more important than any other quality.

If you’re not a boss, read Emotional Intelligence, by Daniel Goleman, to really get how critical Emotional Intelligence is in life – more important than any other quality.

Regardless of whether you’re a boss or not, read Crucial Conversations, to get some very practical strategies for how to manage relationships in ways that reduce negative emotional impacts – in work and in life.

And finally … if you’re interested in developing your own emotional intelligence, begin by asking yourself these questions twice a day – maybe at lunch and just before you leave work for the day:

  • what words would I use to describe my emotional tone at this moment?
  • what has contributed to that?  find a way to answer that question without blame
  • what’s the healthiest thing that’s within my power to do to resolve any negative emotions I’m experiencing right now?
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About the Author

Steve Motenko is an executive coach, leadership trainer, and co-host of The Boss Show, a weekly podcast on workplace dynamics. Steve and his Boss Show co-host, Jim Hessler, are co-authors of Land On Your Feet, Not On Your Face: A Guide to Building Your Leadership Platform. Steve lives on Whidbey Island, Washington, with his wife and dog, whom he loves, and a cat he tolerates usually pretty well.

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