Emotional Intelligence is one of our practice values and we are committed to understanding and managing our emotions in positive ways. To nurture and bring out the best in our team, we held a training day which was dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the vital role emotional intelligence plays in effective team management.
Throughout the day, we delved into the idea of positioning emotional intelligence as the foundation of successful leadership, challenging the notion of labelling such skills as ‘soft’. The overriding perception was that these skills are fundamental to being an adept leader, rendering the term outdated.
Breaking the ice
The training began with an icebreaker activity whereby the team had to speak about themselves in front of everyone. It was an exercise in speaking to a known audience about themselves which is something that many people find challenging. The purpose of this activity was twofold. It not only pushed healthy discomfort levels, but it also opened the conversation as to why individuals feel this way when speaking about themselves in front of colleagues or indeed audiences with whom they aren’t familiar. The team spoke about the following:
1. What they felt passionate about
2. Things that trigger them
3. The qualities they most value in themselves
4. Their own top two leadership qualities
5. An adult that has had the most impact on their lives.
The Anatomy of Emotions
Next, we explored the basics of the emotional brain, offering insights into the workings of the limbic system. Engaging in a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) self, other, observer activity, enabled the team to gain a balanced perspective on challenging situations, dissecting them from various angles. This reflective exercise proved valuable for addressing ongoing situations, establishing boundaries, and fostering smoother working relationships. The team were encouraged to reflect on how difficult situations impact their emotional wellbeing.
Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats
Using the application of Edward de Bono’s six thinking hats exercise, our team then engaged in an activity where each person adopted a specific mindset, such as creative, emotional, factual data-driven, optimistic, pessimistic, and gatekeeper mentality, to approach problem-solving. This exercise aimed to challenge participants to think laterally, providing a diverse set of perspectives, and achieving a balanced outcome.
Connecting mind and body
To promote a sense of wellbeing, the training also incorporated a 1-1 hand massage exercise, using essential oils, with the understanding that some individuals may wish to opt out based on their comfort levels. It was emphasised throughout the training that participants should feel free to challenge any activities they found unsuitable for them, as controlling their own discomfort levels whilst exploring new approaches is crucial. Additionally, a set of reflective questions focused on areas such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills, handling criticism, conflict resolution, adaptability, leadership impact, and continuous improvement were explored whilst this activity was carried out.
The session concluded with staff proposing ideas to enhance wellbeing across our three studios. Fostering a culture of emotional intelligence and wellbeing is fundamental to the success and cohesion of our teams.
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