Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Emotional Intelligence – The Hard Truth About Soft Skills

Emotional Intelligence – The Hard Truth About Soft Skills

According to an article published in the July 2005 issue of CIO magazine, the primary cause of leadership failure in technical organizations is poor interpersonal skills. Talented technicians are often promoted into leadership positions without much thought as to their readiness or suitability for leading people. Unfortunately, many of these managers fail to reach their career potential due to underdeveloped soft skills.

To advance in technical organizations (e.g., engineering, information technology, finance), proficient technical skills are ‘table stakes.’ However, technical skills alone will not take you to the top of the career ladder. The highest performing leaders possess Emotional Intelligence, a term popularized by Daniel Goleman in his book of the same name. He defined emotional intelligence as “the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships.”

In the April 2007 issue of PM Network magazine entitled Beyond the Hype, the author recommends that you take an emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) assessment to "get a base reading." Generally, this type of assessment measures your current level of awareness, your skills and competencies, and how you view the world and what you value within it. I use the word 'generally' because there are over 60 different emotional intelligence inventories and assessments currently available.

Regardless of the EQ assessment you select, the results can help you target one or more areas for development and improvement. And, here's the great news – almost everyone can increase their level of emotional intelligence. The assessment delivers the first step, which is awareness. Once you are aware, you choose to change – or not.

Let's say that you want to improve your social competence by becoming a more active listener. Here is an example of a step-by-step change process:

1. Begin by picking one behavior or habit that you believe may be
getting in your way (in our example, poor listening).

2. Declare that you want to improve and establish a goal (e.g., "I
want to practice active listening in 80% of my interactions at work
and at home").

3. Tell at least one other person of your intent to improve in the
selected area (e.g., "I’ve decided that I want to become a better
listener").

4. Ask others for their support, feedback, and suggestions (e.g.,
"Do you have any suggestions that might help me?").

5. Look for opportunities to practice the new behavior ... and do it!

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the more effective new behavior
becomes a habit.

I've seen this 6-step process produce positive results time and time again. Why is it effective? Because whenever you declare a specific intention to someone else, you feel more accountable. Asking for suggestions and support from other people reinforces that intention and sense of accountability. As you listen to what others have to say, you become more self-aware and gain a better understanding of the impact your behavior has on others. And finally, the built-in feedback loop will let you know when you have met your goal.

A professional coach can administer and debrief an EI assessment and provide ongoing support and coaching to speed Emotional Intelligence development.





Emotional Intelligence The Hard Truth About Soft Skills - To learn more about this author, visit Kim Freedman's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Emotional Intelligence  The Hard Truth About Soft Skills GREAT articles!
Commented on Emotional Intelligence The Hard Truth About Soft Skills.
 Emotional Intelligence  The Hard Truth About Soft Skills Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Cheryl Matthynssens

Cheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur.  Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well.  A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles.  She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide-  to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being.  Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com

- Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website

John Alexander
John has taught keyword research and SEO skills to small groups of business owners and Webmasters from over 80 different countries world wide since 2002. John is also the Director of Search Engine Academy ; Co-director of Training at Search Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first comprehensive online search engine marketing courses at SEO Training Online and the SEO Workshop Resource Center.
I look forward to hearing from you! - Visit John Alexander's Website

Anne Barr
Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website

John Brennan
John Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website

David Acheson
David Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns.  David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Kim Freedman
(Visit Kim's Website) Kim Freedman, President of Catalyst Leadership Coaching, LLC, works with business leaders who want to stop fighting fires and start empowering and engaging their team members. Kim's tool box includes coaching, training, assessments, and mentoring. Visit Catalyst Leadership Coaching to read Kim's blog and to sign up for the free e-course, Leading with Greater Authenticity and Emotional Intelligence.

Kim Freedman is a Gold author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
Catalyst Leadership Coaching - Kim Freedman, President and Chief Catalyst of Catalyst Leadership Coaching, LLC, uses customized training programs and one-on-one coaching to help organizations develop leaders who deliver outstanding results.
Catalyst Leadership Coaching
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Kim Freedman's

Complete
List Of
Leadership
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Kim Freedman's Complete List of Leadership Articles For FREE!

More Kim Freedman
The Leader As Coach
5 Common Mistakes That New Leaders Make
Emotional Intelligence The Hard Truth About Soft Skills
Cant We All Just Get Along
Its About Time The Path to Productivity
Bad News Doesnt Improve with Age
Promotion Panic
Active Listening A Critical Success Factor
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Kim Castle  
Linda Richardson  
Anne Barr  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Website Planning Icon Website Planning
Increasing Coaching Effectiveness Icon Increasing Coaching Effectiveness
Meditation Guide Icon Meditation Guide
Referral Networking Solution Icon Referral Networking Solution
Delegation Workbook Icon Delegation Workbook
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top Political Blogs of 2009
 
Top 50 Business Plan Blog Posts for 2008
Top 50 Business Plans
Top Business Plan Blogs
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Helen Imanhe Benin City, Nigeria,
Helen Imanhe
Benin City, Nigeria
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh , $516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh
$516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
Erez Zevulunov, $150k to $504k in 2 years
Erez Zevulunov
$150k to $504k in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks
Steven Spielberg
DreamWorks
Ron Joyce, Tim Hortons
Ron Joyce
Tim Hortons
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Michael Gerber, The E Myth
Michael Gerber
The E Myth
Jay Conrad Levinson, Guerilla Marketing
Jay Conrad Levinson
Guerilla Marketing
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Entrepreneurship Has No Age Limit Or Boundaries...
By Gregory Henderson
     Is There Really a Secret to Starting an Online Home Business? Yes Absolutely!
By Gregory Henderson
     Home Base Business - The Secret To Successfully Starting A Profitable Business
By Gregory Henderson

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information