Balancing Your EQ

Emotional Quotient (EQ) is a measure of how well you perceive and manage your emotions as well as understanding the emotions of others. Why is this critical human capability called a soft skill? The name alone creates enough doubt in those exploring it to pivot in favor of more tangible endeavors. I think more people would love to improve their EQ but don’t really know where to start. 

Daniel Goleman’s #1 bestseller, Emotional Intelligence offers a framework.

Write To Know You (WTKY) is uniquely aligned with this framework.

Let’s consider some specific intersections.

Self awareness - Journaling is a great first step.

Self regulation - Journaling creates awareness of moments when default settings take over.

Motivation - Activate your journal pages to understand your values, priorities and passions.

Empathy - Cultivate empathy by connecting meaningfully with other people that are journaling.

Social Skills - Build rapport and trust with that group through collective sense-making.

While EQ and other soft skills are gaining more acceptance, the means of signifying this knowledge is still lacking. I think that is one of the reasons why more people aren’t exploring them. The ability to signal to others is important. Whether it’s a band you love, a hat with a personal message, the brand of shoes you wear, or a certificate of completion for a course, we showcase our identity to others through these signals. Think about the little graphic you share when you successfully complete a Wordle. MBA programs are understood by their participants and the business world at large to be a value-add for current and future employees. It is a universally accepted framework with common signifiers. Project managers showcase their expertise through a certification promoted by their industry association. Once they pass a test, they can add the initials PMP to the end of their name.

Would the ability to signal a proficiency in something like EQ increase participation? With or without the external signal, looking inward and exploring things like EQ will change your life. 

For example, think about how it could apply to your chances of landing a dream job.

If you were hiring or building a team, wouldn’t these skills be high on your list?

1️⃣ Being able to identify and describe what people are feeling

2️⃣ Having self confidence and self acceptance

3️⃣ Feeling empathy and concern for others

4️⃣ Accepting responsibility for your mistakes

5️⃣ Being able to let go of your mistakes

6️⃣ Knowing your strengths and weaknesses

These skills sound like superpowers to me. WTKY is one way to explore them.

Here is this week’s challenge - Ask three people this one question - What is one thing that I could improve in order to become my best self? The answers won’t always be easy to hear, but they will help you get where you want to be. 

Send one to [email protected] and you can try WTKY for free. It’s a choose your own adventure experience for those interested in exploring the power of writing to understand yourself and the world around you.

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