Emotional intelligence (II)

Last time we began looking at the vital importance emotions play  in our lives and in our relationships. We saw that we are emotional beings and our emotions play a very critical role in our lives and relationships. We must learn how to utilize emotions to our advantage and not allow them to cripple our lives and hinder our relationships and this is where emotional intelligence becomes relevant. Emotional intelligence is the ability to guide our thinking and behaviour through recognizing, understanding and evaluating our emotions and those of others.

Interpersonal or people skills are a major compoeet of emotional intelligence.

Lack of the interpersonal skills is a major reason why people get into relationship crisis whether in marriage, business, family etc.

Interpersonal skills involve, among other skills, the following.

1. Verbal communication. Verbal communication is a critical success factor in life. We must not just know how to communicate verbally but we must also know how to communicate confidently and effectively.
2. Non verbal communication. Many times it is not what is being said but how it is being said that makes all the difference. Non verbal communication involves gesticulation, eye contact, posture, facial expressions etc. Ineffective communication always results in misunderstanding, misrepresentation, arguments, shouting, interpersonal conflicts etc.
3. Listening skills. If we are going to be emotionally intelligent and have qualitative relationships we must acquire listening skills.
4. Problem solving. Problems are an integral part of life and if we will have meaningful relationships we need to know how to solve problems.
5. Negotiation and persuasion skills.
6. Decision making

Empathy is another component of Emotional Intelligence we will look at.

Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand and be sensitive to the feelings of another person. Empathy is understanding what others feel, seeing things from their point of view and imaging ourselves in their shoes.

If we will have effective relationships we need to be empathetic.

Benefits of empathy:

1) People will like and trust us.

2. It will promote and enhance harmony, understanding and good relationships in the group.

3) It will elicit and promote trust.

4) It will increase our influence.

5) It will make us assets in relationships.

“Empathy is one of the most important skills you can practice in life. It is crucial for our personal development, relationships and society as a whole.  We need empathy in order to form harmonious relationships, minimize stress and enhance emotional intelligence.”Norbert Juma.

TO BE CONTINUED

FOR ENQUIRIES AND COMMENTS PLEASE SEND EMAIL TO charismokola @yahoo.com

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…‘Life is us’ gives  ‘Life is us’ gives

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…‘Life is us’ gives  ‘Life is us’ gives