Emotional Intelligence – An important business strategy
Facebook, Twitter and now blogging? Yes! Welcome to my new blog regarding any and all things ABWA!
Every couple of weeks I plan to post a message that I hope will be of value to you, our members, based on what I see happening in ABWA teams across the country. I hope you’ll engage me in conversation by commenting with your reactions and ideas.
We are getting such great participation at the district conferences. Plus, today’s Webinar will include more than 400 members at one time! That just shows me that the American Business Women’s Association is fulfilling a vital role in the lives of working women –one that provides a forum where we can come together and share our experiences and knowledge freely.
At the District III conference held last week in Itasca, Ill., we heard a dynamic speaker, Fausta Britton discuss the subject of emotional intelligence. While this wasn’t the first time I had attended a session on this subject — her message really struck a chord with me. Basically, someone with a well-evolved sense of emotional intelligence has learned to perceive, understand, reason with and manage their own feelings, emotions and responses to life’s challenges with grace and professionalism. All of which, affect our workplace (and ABWA team) environment, relationships and interactions.
Fausta explained that it’s not enough to win the job because of your stellar education, experience, job accomplishments and IQ; you have to keep the job by creating a positive culture – not being a “B” to those you work with. Easier said than done! I know that most of us (including me) have “lost it” at one time or another or have worked alongside people who, shall we say, didn’t play nicely with others, right?
With the recession still lingering in most areas of the country, and during this down time when downsizing is more the norm than the exception, improving one’s emotional intelligence in the workplace is not just a nice thing to do – members learned last week that it’s an important Business Strategy. It’s a strategy for personal survival in the workplace!
The good news is that emotional intelligence skills can be learned. Those who do will be healthier, less distracted and more productive in your job or your business. And, you will win a few friends and business contacts in the process!
If you missed this session last week, Fausta will be presenting again at the District V Conference in Indianapolis on April 30 -May1. To register, visit www.abwa.org – Until next time…
In professional sisterhood,
Rene’
April 22, 2010 at 12:20 am
This is a wonderful new tool that many members need to learn how to take advantage of. Too many feel that it is only for the under 30s, yet it was developed by a middle-aged manager who need to find a way to have the members of his team follow-up on reports and development them over time.
Keep up the good work in bringing new ideas to ABWA and WIN, and may we all prosper and grow.
April 22, 2010 at 12:21 am
This sounds very exciting and is something that will benefit all women – working and retired. I can’t wait to get to the District V conference in Indianapolis to hear the seminar.
April 22, 2010 at 12:26 am
Renee: That was a good message you sent out. It makes you stop and remember what it’s all about. Thanks.
April 22, 2010 at 12:36 am
Great first article, Rene. Hits home. Just today my boss was asking me how to deal with one of his female peers that hasn’t learned emotional intelligence. I’m going to show him your article so he’ll know where to start looking to address his situation with this other department head that wants to play the “power” game by being the “B.”
April 22, 2010 at 12:57 am
Great blog! I want to learn more about improving my emotional intelligence skills. Thank you!
April 22, 2010 at 1:16 am
Thank you for your post, and for bringing Fausta to District III. I was there, and it was awesome. Fausta’s sessions helped me stop and take a look at my own emotions and examine, “what are my triggers,” and “what am I going to do about them?” They also helped me think about how I deal with others in terms of what personality type they are. Maybe I can appeal to their personality type instead of building a brick wall. Great stuff, thanks again, Rene.
April 22, 2010 at 1:55 am
The blog is great! And Fausta was super. She’s right on target and down to earth. I highly recommend her presentation to everyone.
April 22, 2010 at 5:00 am
I appreciate your comments regarding working well with others, especially given the difficult economic times in which we find ourselves.
I have been an ABWA member for not quite one year and just returned from my first district conference in Reno, Nevada. Our speaker, Jennifer Curtet, really spoke to me personally and professionally when she talked about being assertive, but not agressive nor passive.
One of the key moments for me at the conference was picking my name badge color dot to identify my field. I am in a unique position of re-entering into the full time workforce after being out for nearly 6 years. During that time, I ran a successful home business in the cosmetics field, but professionally, I find myself more aligned with the education field.
Much to my surprise, 5 days after returning home from the conference, I was suddenly let go from my part time job as a librarian and substitute teacher. Although it was unexpected, I found myself referring to my notes from our Assertiveness Workshop to find the skills needed to negotiate through the situation.
I also spent much time on the WIN site, developing my professional skills for yet another job search. I am definitely doing it differently this time.
I look forward to mixing the professional development tools on WIN with my local chapter’s supportive meetings as I search my next career.
Thanks!
Molly
April 22, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Molly:
Check out the resume courses – modules 1-3. I have also included a sample resume package including cover letters in module 2. That’s was our objective – to prepare women so in the event you find yourself in the wings slipping on the item I discussed at the D-III conference, you can still dance on your “stage”- Good luck and stay connected!
April 22, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Great Idea!! Way to stay ahead of the curve! Thats what market leaders do!!
April 23, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I am new to blogging so this is yet another learning experience courtesy of ABWA. I am really looking forward to our conference next week and all the seminars.
April 23, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Me too. Well, the good thing is we are all learning together – like find Massie the Moose!
April 24, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Rene,
I just rad the blog. Wonderful. I think you are spot on with the introduction of these technologies to all of us.
I am asking our Program Chair to check the blog and try to schedule someone on this very important topic.
Thank you,
Louise
April 25, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Super! I will link to my facebook and twitter account this week. I appreciate the comment. Thanks Louise!
April 26, 2010 at 5:35 am
Rene’: Your blog is great. After reading the “reply” comments, it is clear that the blog is a perfect source for members to get “briefed” on information; especially if unable to attend a conference. More importantly, it serves to reach so many, so fast—engages discussion of benefit to everyone (reader or participant). I suspect your following will increase exponentially, at a very rapid pace. Bill
April 26, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I too wish to improve my skills and look forward as always learning something new, Great tool and thanks Rene for looking forwad as our leader.
April 28, 2010 at 12:50 am
Great blog, Rene’! You’re a natural!
A great companion read to the body of work out there on Emotional Intelligence is “Social Intelligence” by Karl Albrecht. It shows how a lack of awareness impacts those around us in the workplace. I highly recommend it!
April 30, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Very informative. I had no idea that what I have always referred to as “professional maturity” really is called Emotional Intelligence. I wish that I would be able to attend one of her sessions. Does she have a web page?
May 4, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Thank you! I was in Inianapolis (first conference ever!) and had the good fortune to hear Fausta. I would very much like to hear her speak on Emotional Intelligence as well.
May 17, 2010 at 4:37 pm
GREAT blog! Love it!