Your Emotional intelligence determines how well you handle yourself in life and in general and even influences your popularity. It is a key aspect of how to recognise and manage your emotions, and how you interact with others.
When we think of compassion we naturally think of it being directed towards others, but we must also have self-compassion, though for some people this is a challenge. Being compassionate can make you a better person, and help you flourish. Like charity, compassion starts at home, quite literally.
The most obvious tactics often don't work. Empathy and 'getting alongside' is often more effective. Here's a heartwarming and informative video. It has a big aaaah! factor, for sure, but like so many of these things it is a real opportunity to re-learn something we all know how to do.
Empathy vs sympathy. We can all learn – or at least be reminded – from this.
Even though we don't realise it when we say we know what someone thinks about something, we are guessing. Even mind-reading – in a fairground or on stage – is trickery. Yet we often allow our own thoughts and behaviour to be goverened by what we claim someone else will think. Maybe it's time to review what we 'know'.
Empathy is a core element in Emotional Intelligence, and most of us assume we can empathise. But how do you tell what someone else is feeling? We often get it wrong.
What is the difference between empathy and sympathy, and why does on bring us together while the other drives us apart? It takes Dr Brené Brown just over two minute to explain in this video.
Do you see difference, or do you see similarity? They are different, but also the same. It just depends which aspect you choose to focus on. There's a kind of fuzzy logic to it.
Having a difficult conversation may be scary, but it is the route to happy resolution rather than angry conflict.
In so many jobs, it's the not-obvious bits that make a difference. Or as Barry Schwartz says, you don't have to be brilliant, to be wise.
