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Emotional Intelligence is Where the Magic Happens
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Is Where the Magic Happens
I’VE WORN A FEW DIFFERENT HATS THROUGH THE YEARS, but for the most part my job has been to do one of two things—fix stuff or make stuff better. I do other work, of course, but those two have been at the heart of the work that really mattered most over the past decade or three.
I’ve partnered with and supported dozens, probably hundreds, of board members, managers, and other professionals who serve community associations (definitely hundreds, I suppose, if you count conference and workshop participants). There have certainly been times when a lack of technical knowledge contributed to the situations I’ve helped people to get through. But frequently, that’s been the easy part to fix. More times than not it was the human factor that was at the root of the toughest problems, to one degree or another. The biggest challenge can be the ability to see ourselves, our circumstances, and the people around us in context. Then we can figure out the best means, methods, and timing to apply all that technical knowledge. That’s what gets things done most effectively and keeps them going smoothly and sustainably. For the most part, it’s not a lack of IQ that kills us, it’s a lack of EQ (or Emotional Intelligence). Book smarts has its limits. Emotional intelligence is the difference maker. You’ve known it when you’ve seen it, and you know when it’s missing. You’ve been around others who are comfortable in their own skin and make connections, and you’ve suffered the company of those who aren’t and don’t. You’ve seen those who seemed to magically make it all come together, and you’ve seen clueless bosses and board members steamroll their way into one debacle after another. One way or another, whenever we are living and working with other human beings, it is personal and group emotional intelligence that makes the difference between knowledge and wisdom, between success and failure, between achievement and frustration.
We work with people we cannot control. Therefore, we need to deal with the human experience, like it or not. This means going deeper, learning the art of this work, and embracing leadership. And the art of leadership requires a knowledge of the palette of emotional intelligence. It is this art that connects on a deeper level, engaging both heart and head, merging motivation with intellect.
EQ starts off as an inside job—learning yourself and figuring out how to impact others and manage yourself.
It then looks outward—figuring out where others are coming from and adjusting your approach to make connections and get stuff done. These are not fluffy “soft skills.” It takes work to master them. Research in the behavioral sciences has revealed the chemistry behind it and its organizational impact. It can be studied, measured, and grown. It helps young managers and new board members avoid burnout and find fulfillment in their work. And we had better start talking about it in our world if we are to begin converting some of the vicious cycles And the art of leadership common to our experience into success cycles. requires a knowledge of This is not to downplay the importance of competence in the nuts and bolts of the palette of emotional the business. As Joe Wise, owner of Wise Property Solutions in Johnson City, Tennessee correctly stated, “EQ does not patch a deficiency in technical or intelligence. It is this professional knowledge.” But it’s time we went beyond technical proficiency art that connects on a and a focus on designations as a measure of professionalism. We will be deeper level, engaging both judged neither by the knowledge we possess nor the letters after our names. heart and head, merging
We’ll be judged by what we get done and the impact we make. So let us start talking about how to add emotional intelligence to our artist’s palette and motivation with intellect.” learn how to do the hard work that makes the magic happen.
Written by: Tom Willis Association Bridge https://www.associationbridge.com/ This article was originally published at: http://www.tomasaurusrexblog.com/?p=257
