Copyright image: mindfulconstruct.com
As you all know, in a previous life, I was an HR professional - and as a result, the importance of individual and collective capability, in business is something I feel strongly about. During my time in the HR world, I trained [yes, many didn't know it was possible] in Emotional Intelligence, or EQi.
For those of you not entirely acquainted with the notion of Emotional Intelligence, put simply, it's an approach focused on understanding, more completely, ones own emotions and those of the people we come in contact with. In my own experience, it helps organisations run more efficiently and also allows those in managerial or leadership positions conduct and manage their business relationships, and organisations in a more fluid and straightforward manner.
So, what am I on about EQ for? Well - because I am continually amazed by the seeming lack of it in business - and business relationships. Sure, we all find ourselves 'stretched' betimes, and there is often a point at which, in stressful situations, we may find it difficult to self-regulate. HOWEVER, do we think of our reactions in terms of how they might impact us, or potentially, those we work with? Not always.
Another one of my pet subjects is mindfulness, and it sits, very nicely, alongside EQ. Adopting a stance of being in business as opposed to doing business provides a focus which can undoubtedly add great value to ones working life, as well as fueling more centred, EQ-friendly business relationships with colleagues, staff and clients.
Dovetailing with this blog posts' title - impact not intention... in adopting a more mindful approach to being in business, you're facilitating yourself to think about the impact of the way you behave, communicate and deal with others.
Think back over your recent interactions - any specific one you wish had gone better or more smoothly? A client or customer who you wish had given you a different answer? Staff or colleagues who really 'wound you up'? If you could rewind and change how it played out, would you?
Change your direction and remember: impact not intention.
Excellent insights Olwen. I agree these are extremely important points to bear in mind. No matter how ‘true’ something feels when we are in an unhelpful negative mind-set, we nonetheless have the freedom and capacity to trust in reason, we are capable of settings our powerful emotions and feelings aside. Sometimes this may require assistance, persistence and undoubtedly, reflecting upon and learning from experiences.
ReplyDelete“Understanding that disturbing emotions are destroyed by special insight with calm abiding” - Dalai Lama, 1999
Amanda, great feedback - thank you. In business we often find ourselves pressured and can behave in ways which are not truly reflective of ourselves... to be productive, we need to keep those knee-jerk responses in check!
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