EQ Matters!

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a key skill we often mistake for "showing empathy".

While putting ourselves into the other's shoes and empathize is part of the picture, here the easy tips for the novice on how to practice EQ:

1. Reflect on your emotions every day.
2. Note when strong emotions get triggered and what starts that.
3. See patterns of your emotional responses.
4. Listen actively without interrupting.
5. Show empathy by acknowledging other's feelings.
6. Ask questions with genuine curiosity.
7. Think before you speak when heated - breathe deeply to calm down first.
8. Choose a kind response over an angry one.
9. Set goals for personal growth, small and incremental.
10. Celebrate when you notice a win in personal development.
11. Think about how your behavior affects others.
12. Apologize sincerely when you hurt someone.
13. Change your behavior to avoid repeating mistakes.
14. Ask for feedback about words and behaviors, open yourself to positive and negative feedback and commit to making changes.