Coaching For Emotional Intelligence

In today’s world, technical skills and IQ often get the spotlight. Yet, emotional intelligence (EQ or EI) has been proven to be just as important, if not more so, in achieving success in life, career and study.

The term emotional Intelligence, was popularised in the 1990s by Daniel Goleman. He defined emotional intelligence as “the capacity for recognising our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships.”

The four key components that make up EQ are:

1. Self-Awareness: Recognising and understanding your own emotions and how they affect your actions.
2. Self-Management: The ability to regulate emotions and control impulses, even in challenging situations.
3. Social Awareness: Being attuned to the emotions and concerns of others, enabling effective social interactions.
4. Social Skills: Building and maintaining positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and working well within teams.
   

The good news is that these skills are not fixed. With practice and the right mindset, skills can be taught and developed. Nurturing EQ in young people empowers them to handle the complexities of life, enhancing their success and wellbeing across key areas: career pathways, friendships, school and learning, and emotional health. By integrating EQ coaching into the school curriculum or your wellbeing sessions, educators can better prepare students for not only academic success but also nurture their resilience, empathy, their ability to manage their emotions and to build meaningful relationships — qualities that are essential for life beyond the classroom.

Some activities that strengthen the E.Q skills of people you support are::

1. Practicing Mindfulness: Encourage them to observe their emotions without judgment, boosting self-awareness.
2. Seeking Feedback: Honest feedback helps young people understand how their emotions and actions impact others.
3. Building Empathy: Help them actively consider others’ perspectives to foster stronger social awareness.
4. Teaching Stress Management: Deep breathing techniques and journaling can help manage emotions during tough times.
5. E.Q coaching cards are also a powerful resource for every coaches toolkit. They outline 30 key EQ skills, that can be used to assist young people to:

• • Understand what EQ skills are
  • Identify their strengths and the areas for growth
  • Foster self-reflection and dialogue
  • Provide actionable insights
  • Help create a personalised EQ development plan
  • Provide a focus for ongoing EQ coaching skills development

Happy Coaching from 

Robyn Chellew