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Emotional intelligence - Part 1
1.0 Introduction
Weber's bureaucracy prescribed complete impersonality and absence of emotions for rational administration. But neuroscientific studies in last decade have shown that rationality and emotions are not separate compartments in the brain; rather they are extrinsically interwoven. Charles Darwin in 19th century showed that emotions are adaptive in the evolution of human beings. Joseph Ledoux has said "Many emotions are product of evolutionary wisdom, which probably has more intelligence that human minds together". Researchers have shown conclusively that emotions are a form of intelligent awareness. Emotions are what make us human. Emotions tell us what is valuable and important to us and to others. They signal the meaning of events. They serve as essential guide for humans to make rational choices. Without guidance of emotions, one become irrational, and detached from reality.
This detachment from reality is the very definition of "occupational psychosis" (John Dewey), "professional deformation"(Thorsein Veblen), "trained incapacity" (Philip Selznick), and "bureaupathology" (Robert Merton). We now have conclusive biological evidence that decision-making is neurologically impossible without being informed by emotions. Contrary to the classical model, decision-making is arbitrary when it is not infused with the intelligence of emotions.
Bureaucracy on emotions
- Make us inefficient
- Sign of weakness
- Interfere with good judgement
- Distract us
- Obstruct or slow down reasoning
- Arbitrary and tyrannical
- Weaken neutrality
- Inhibit the flow of objective data
- Complicate planning
- Undermine management
Modern neuroscience on emotions
1. Make us effective
2. Sign of strength
3. Essential to good judgement
4. Motivates us
4. Motivates us
5. Enhance or speed up reasoning
6. Build trust and connection
7. Activate ethical values
8. Provide vital information and feedback
9. Spark creativity and innovation
10. Enhance leadership
2.0 Intelligence and Emotional intelligence
According to Douglas Hofstadter intelligence can be defined in terms of the following eight abilities:
- To respond to situations very flexibly
- To take advantage of the right time and right place
- To make sense of ambiguous or contradictory messages
- To recognize the importance of different elements of a situation
- To find similarities between situations despite differences that may separate them
- To draw distinctions between situations despite similarities that may link them
- To synthesize new concepts by taking old concepts and combining them in new ways
- To develop ideas that are novel
Without the intelligent guidance of emotions, human beings cannot respond to situations very flexibly, take advantage of the right time and right place, make sense of ambiguous or contradictory messages, recognize the importance of different elements of a situation, find similarities between situations despite differences that may separate them, draw distinctions between situations despite similarities that may link them, synthesize new concepts by taking old concepts and combining in new ways, or develop ideas that are novel. Without the guidance of emotions we cannot be intelligent. Without the guidance of emotions we cannot be rational.
Emotional intelligence is registered through deep listening - listening to oneself and listening to others (Kramer 1995, 1999).People who are high in emotional intelligence know how to listen to their emotions and regulate their intensity so they are not hijacked by them. Emotionally intelligent people
- know how to keep disruptive emotions in check.
- sense the effect their emotions have on others.
- know how to deploy their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses.
- listen to other people's emotions and can empathize with them.
- act ethically and build trust through integrity and reliability.
- admit their own mistakes and learn from them.
- are comfortable with new ideas and new information.
- are skilled at listening to a group's emotional currents and discerning the power relationships.
- can negotiate and resolve disagreements.
- listen to other people and know how to communicate effectively.
Emotionally intelligent behavior is a prerequisite for building bridges of mutual understanding and trust in the space between people - in "administrative space."
3.0 Some important definitions
Emotional self awareness: Ability to be aware of one's feelings and emotions, to be able to differentiate between them to know what one is feeling and why and to know what caused the feelings. Thrive on open, honest compassionate feedback
Assertiveness: The ability to express feelings, beliefs and thoughts and defend one's rights in a nondestructive manner. Assertive people are not overcontrolled or shy. Can express themselves without being aggressive or abusive
Self regard: The ability to accept one's perceived positive and negative aspects as well as one's limitations and possibilities. This person possesses inner strength and self confidence
Self actualization: The ability to realize one's potential capacities. Involved in pursuits that lead to a meaningful, rich and full life. Self actualization is an ongoing, dynamic process of striving toward maximum development of one's abilities, capacities and talents. This person persistently tries to improve oneself in general
Independence: The ability to function autonomously versus needing protection and support. These people have self confidence, inner strength, and a desire to meet expectations and obligations, withot becoming a slave to them
Empathy: The ability to be aware of to understand and to appreciate the feelings of others. It is tunning in (being sensitive) to what, how and why people feel the way they do. Being empathetic means being able to "emotionally read" other people
Interpersonal relationship: The ability to establish and maintain mutually satisfying relationships that are characterized by intimacy and by giving and receiving affection. This component is not only associated with the desirability of cultivating friendly relations with others, but with the ability to feel at ease and comfortable in such relations.
Social responsibility: The ability to demonstrate oneself as a cooperative, contributing and constructive member of one's social group This abilty involves acting in a responsible manner, even though one may not benefit personally. This person takes on community oriented responsibilities.
Problem solving: The ability to identify and define problems as well as to generate and implement potentially effective solutions. This person logically and methodically goes through a problem and pics the best solution. This skill is also linked to a desire to do one's best and to confront problems rather than avoiding them
Reality testing: The ability to assess the correspondence between what is experienced and what objectively exists. This person searches for objective evidence to confirm, justify and support feelings perceptions and thoughts. In simple terms, reality testing is the ability to accurately "size up" the immediate situation
Flexibility: Ability to adapt to unfamiliar, unpredictable and dynamic circumstances. Flexible people are agile, synergistic and capable of reacting to change, without rigidity. These people are able to change their minds when evidence suggests that they are mistaken. They are generally open to and tolerant of different ideas, orientations, ways and practices
Stress tolerance: The ability to withstnad adverse events and stressful situations without "falling apart" by actively and positively coping with stress. aslo involves problem solving, optimism, knowledge of stress coping strategies and practice using them. People who have good stress tolerance tend to face crises and problems, rather than surrendering to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Impulse control: The ability to resist or delay an impulse, drive or temptation to act. Problems in impulse control are manifested by low frustration tolerance, impulsiveness, anger control problems, abusiveness loss of self control and explosive and unpredictable behaviour. Sometimes this skill is also called self regulation or delaying gratification. It involves self control and the ability to handle our emotions.
Happiness: The ability to feel satisfied with one's life to enjoy oneself and others and to have fun. Happy people often feel good and at ease in both work and leisure, they are able to "let their hair down." and enjoy the opportunities for having fun. Happiness is a by product and/or barometric indicator of one's overall degree of emotional intelligence and emotional functioning.
Optimism: Optimism is the ability to look at the brighter side of life and to maintain a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity. Optimism assumes a measure of hope in one's approach to life. It is a positive approach to daily living. Optimism is the opposite of pessimism which is a common symptom of depression
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