Articles with Soft Skills

EQ Vs IQ

EQ Vs IQ

Emotional Intelligence is not new; however it is described as the new yard stick to measure a person’s success, along with their IQ and the skills they have developed over time.

The IQ / EQ relationship


IQ is set; it peaks when a person is 17 and remains constant throughout adulthood and decreases during old age.

EQ is not fixed; Emotional Intelligence and emotional skills develop over time, they change throughout life and most importantly they can be improved through training and remedial programs as well as therapeutic techniques. This fact supports the argument of the value of contributions made by older people in the workplace.

However, intellectual intelligence (IQ) is usually less important in determining how successful we are than emotional intelligence (EQ). We all know people who are academically brilliant and yet are socially inept and unsuccessful. What they are missing is emotional intelligence.

IQ measuring has existed for much longer than EQ measuring. The first modern IQ test was developed by Alfred Binet in the early 20th century. Since then, many modifications on intelligence quotient testing have been made. Currently an IQ test involves a set of standardized questions for which one receives a score, similar to EQ tests.

In 1905, two French psychologists Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon developed the first formal intelligence test specifically to “weed out the feeble minded children” who would not benefit from the publicly funded education system. It was not until the 1940s that David Wechsler, one of the fathers of IQ testing in the US, urged that the “non-intellective aspects of general intelligence be included in any complete admissible measurement.

While the IQ can measure concepts like logical reasoning, word knowledge and math skills, many feel it is not adequate in measuring creative abilities or emotional abilities. In fact, some with high IQs do not seem to be particularly good at maintaining relationships and may appear socially awkward at best.

For example IQ measurements on most people with autism are typically very high, yet it is well known that these children are burdened by their inability to communicate in other ways.

Emotional Intelligence Leadership

Emotional Intelligence Leadership

“When it comes to improving organizational effectiveness,
management scholars and practitioners are beginning to
emphasize the importance of a manager’s emotional intelligence
leadership.” Group Organization & Management, 1999

In a fast-paced innovative environment, effective leadership requires emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence leadership can be defined as a person’s self-awareness, self-confidence, self-control, commitment, integrity and ability to communicate, influence, initiate and accept change. Numerous studies have shown that emotional intelligence impacts a leader’s ability to be effective.

Three of the most important aspects of emotional intelligence for a leader’s ability to make effective decisions are:

  • self-awareness
  • communication and influence
  • commitment and integrity

Managers who do not develop their emotional intelligence leadership skills have difficulty building good relationships with peers, subordinates, superiors and clients.

Emotional intelligence leadership combines a number of competencies or abilities. These skills contribute to a person’s ability to manage and monitor his or her own emotions, to correctly gauge the emotional state of others and to influence opinions.

Emotional Intelligence Leadership Skill #1:


Self-awareness, the ability to recognize a feeling as it happens, to accurately perform self-assessments and have self-confidence. This is the keystone of emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence Leadership Skill #2:


Self-management or self-regulation to keep disruptive emotions and impulses in check, maintain standards of honesty and integrity, take responsibility for one’s performance, handle change, and be comfortable with novel ideas and approaches.

Emotional Intelligence Leadership Skill #3:


Motivation, the emotional tendency guiding or facilitating the attainment of goals, consisting of meeting a high standard of excellence, commitment with the group or organization, initiative to act on opportunities, and optimism and persistence despite set backs.

Empathy: Understanding others by being aware of their needs, perspectives, feelings, concerns, and developmental needs.

Social skills: The ability to induce desirable responses in others by using effective diplomacy to persuade, influence, listen openly and communicate convincing messages, inspire and guide groups and individuals, build bonds and relationships, work with others toward a shared goal and create group synergy in pursuing collective goals.

“85 to 95% of the difference between a “good leader” and an “excellent leader” is due to emotional intelligence” — Daniel Goleman

Traditional
Manager		Emotional Intelligence Leader
AdministersInnovates
Is a copyIs an original
MaintainsDevelops
Focuses on systems and structureFocuses on people
Relies on controlInspires trust
Has a short-range viewHas a long-range perspective
Asks how and whenAsks what and why
Has his eye on the bottom lineHas his eye on the horizon
ImitatesOriginates
Accepts the status quoChallenges it
Is the classic good soldierIs his own person
Does things rightDoes the right thing

To be a leader is a sacred trust. One way to honor this trust is to develop all of our talents and abilities fully and use them when we lead others.

Four Steps To Sharpen Your Public Speaking Skills

Four Steps To Sharpen Your Public Speaking Skills

Florida State psychology professor Anders Ericsson, a giant in the field of peak performance, passed away this month.

Malcolm Gladwell brought Ericsson’s research to a larger audience in his book, Outliers. Many of us are familiar with the now famous “10,000-hour rule” of practice time required to become a world-class expert in a particular skill.

In his own book, Peak, Ericsson took a much deeper dive into the subject. His research did show that it takes an enormous amount of practice to stand out—and in some cases, Ericsson said the practice time came closer to 20,000 hours.

But Ericsson was careful to point out that practice alone isn’t enough. ‘Deliberate’ practice is “the most effective and powerful practice that we know of.”

Deliberate practice is practice with a purpose, preferably guided by a coach or teacher.

Ericsson said that anyone, in any field, can shave years off their learning time if they practice the right way. Deliberate practice applies to almost any skill: baking, playing an instrument, learning to swing a golf club, improving sales skills, or speaking in public.

There are four steps to deliberate, or ‘purposeful’ practice that I’ve applied to business leaders who want to improve their communication and public-speaking skills.

Step 1. Define specific goals.

Ericsson said setting specific goals is the key to improving at any skill. For example, ‘Getting better at golf’ is a vague ambition. ‘Shaving five strokes off my handicap’ is specific. Making twenty 3-foot putts in a row before I end my practice is even more specific.

In public speaking, establish a specific goal for your practice. For example, today you’re going to get through the first five minutes of your presentation without looking at your notes. And you won’t stop practicing until you nail it.

Step 2. Focus practice time.

The way you organize your practice makes a difference, according to Ericsson.

Schedule your presentation rehearsal with as much commitment as you would put in for an important meeting. If your energy is highest in the morning, set aside uninterrupted time before noon to run through your presentation. Make it a priority.

Step 3. Seek feedback.

When I wrote the first book on how Apple co-founder Steve Jobs delivered presentations, I devoted an entire chapter on his rehearsal strategy. Jobs practiced his iconic product keynote presentations dozens of times, weeks ahead of the launch.

Here’s the key. Jobs always performed in front of a small audience of executives or partners. He delivered a section of the presentation, pause, lower his voice, and ask for specific feedback on every slide and every line.

Step 4. Step out of your comfort zone.

“If you never push yourself beyond your comfort zone, you will never improve,” Ericsson wrote.

Most people who say they’re not ‘good at public speaking’ simply don’t do it enough. And they might not put in the hours required to excel at the craft because fear holds them back.

Step out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to start with baby steps. Practice your presentation in front of your dog (Don’t laugh. Bestselling author Tim Ferriss did it). Step it up in the next practice by asking a friend or peer to watch your presentation. Next step, take it to small group, followed by a larger one.

Ericsson said deliberate practice wasn’t always supposed to be enjoyable. If practice doesn’t stretch you and make you uncomfortable, it’s not going to help you improve.

To get better at any skill, repetition alone isn’t the solution. Deliberate, focused practice with feedback is the key to getting from where you are today to where you want to be.

5 business focused skills you can develop to further your career

5 business focused skills you can develop to further your career

Progressing in your career shouldn’t be intimidating, but becoming the leader your company wants will take a little extra work. Don’t get discouraged, though. We’re here to help by rounding up five powerful skills you should start practicing to help you advance in your career.

Public Speaking

While many of us shy away from public speaking or are more than happy to pass the buck to a coworker when doing a presentation, developing your communication and presentation skills is a crucial piece of the leadership puzzle.

Even as the world shifts toward a more digitally-inclined workforce, being able to present yourself and your ideas well on a screen will pay off. .

Delegating

As your responsibilities grow with each promotion, the ability to stay hands-on in every aspect of a project decreases. Rolling up your sleeves as a manager can be admirable, but if you just end up burning the candle at both ends you will be burnt out before you even reach your first review.

Being a good leader means being able to delegate . Learning how to task others will only make the team better as a whole. Dive into delegating with the How to Manage by Delegating So You Can Achieve Your Goals course.

Resume Writing and Interviewing

Sometimes you can’t climb the ladder any higher in your current company, and sometimes you just don’t want to, especially when you can get a better salary deal with a different employer. If you are applying for a new position for whatever reason, you better be ready to nail it with your first impression.

Presenting a perfect resume will help get you into the door and nailing an interview will help get you the job, making these two skills extremely important.

Employee Motivation

Good employees will lose motivation, and even the best employees will feel burnout if they lack confidence in their skills or don’t feel personally connected to a project. Hearing a team member say, “I don’t care,” will only further push motivation out the door.

Learning how to motivate individuals and how to encourage your team in the correct way will be crucial to you as a leader.

Improving Productivity

The final career skill you will want to improve is your productivity. Being better with your time and working more efficiently will speak only great things to your bosses, and doing more things in less time will eventually earn you more money.

eBooks

New additions to my eBooks collection

Hey Folks,

Hope you are all doing great ! I am featuring few bestsellers as far as the subject of soft skills is concerned.

Visit my ebooks page to view and download these timeless ebooks.

Today’s uploads –

  • Emotional Intelligence By Daniel Goleman
  • You Say More Than You Think A 7 Day Plan for Using the New Body By Janine Driver
  • Body language 101 Discover the Psychology Secrets of How to Read By Hanif Raah
  • Body Language by Allen Pease
  • Understand Body Language Teach Yourself By Gordon Wainwright
  • Gestures By Roger E.Axtell

Keep learning & stay safe

What is Communication Skills?

What are Communication Skills?

What are Communication Skills?

Communication is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. The ability to effectively communicate with other people is an important skill. Communication skills enables a person to convey information so that it is received and well understood.

Why do you need Communication Skills?

Communication Skills are important in every aspect of life.As we are living in a world surrounded by information such as television, radio, computer, face-to-face.It is important to be able to have the conversation skills to communicate everything, that will contribute for your growth. To build the competence and commitment in one’s work, one should have effective communication skills.

Conclusion:

The person with effective communication skills will have the willingness to participate in decision making and will be a very confident person to express his views. Effective communication generates the desired effect, maintains effect and increases effect. It serves the purpose for which it is planned or designed. Possible purposes might be to generate action, inform, create understanding or communicate a certain idea/point etc. Effective communication also ensures that the message is not distorted during the communication process.

“Good Communication Skills allow you to make stronger connections that build rapport and increase your likability” – Jen Mueller

Introduction to problem solving skills

Introduction to problem solving skills

What are Problem Solving Skills?

A Problem is something difficult to deal with or understand but a problem is an opportunity for improvement. An optimist looks at problem in a challenging way and seek an opportuniy for improvement.

“Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.”-Henry Ford

Instead of worrying about the problem try to eliminate it, Stop it, Treat it, reduce it. Problem Solving Skills helps you in those issues. It is an orderly manner, for finding solutions to specific problems.

Why Problem Solving Skills?

The Problem Solving Program helps you to distress and solve some of the common issues related to solving problems. It includes problem solving techniques like Abstraction, Information on brainstorming, critical thinking, and innovation. It helps you to become better at solving problems.

Conclusion:

Problem Solving Skills are very important to become an effective problem solver when facing challenges or difficult situations. Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution. The easiest way to escape from a problem is to solve it.

Problem solving with others is often very effective because you have access to a wide variety of viewpoints and potential solutions. The problem solving model is an useful resource for you to utilize in all aspects of your life and when dealing with challenging situations.

“You can’t solve a Problem from the same consciousness that created it;you must learn to see the world as new”-Albert Einstein

Personality Development Tips-Know more about persuasion

Personality Development Tips-Know more about persuasion

What is Personality ?

How a person behaves, feels and thinks, how he conducts himself in a given set of circumstances is largely determined by the state if his mind. Mere external appearance or a person’s speech or mannerisms are only fringes of one’s personality. They do not reflect the real personality. Personality development in the real sense refers to deeper levels of person. so a study of our personality should start from a clear grasp of the nature of our mind, and how it functions.

Personality development is all about learning skills and adopting ways to be successful in general in life. Man is a social animal and nothing can be achieved in isolation, unless of course you are a genius creator. Persuasion is one of those qualities that enable many to achieve a lot of success, both at the personal level as well as in their careers. Among the many personality development tips, persuasion occupies a high place. Personality development tips are effective tools to bring about a change your attitude thereby improving your perception on others.

Whether one does a job or is doing his own business, success often depends upon the outcome of his interaction with others. If he lacks the skill of persuasion, a negative outcome with his interactions is a more likely result. Whether you are selling a product or an idea, you know that it is your persuasive powers more than the product itself that is important. It is therefore essential to make use of personality development tips, especially persuasion to achieve success in life. You may be surprised, but even those at the higher echelons of any administrative set make use of personality development tips to achieve a greater efficiency.

To be able to convince others, it is necessary that they perceive you as being helpful rather than being intrusive. You must have noticed how good orators and glib politicians translate their power of persuasion into more votes for themselves or money if they are campaigning for a fund raiser. They make use of personality development tips which are there for anyone to use, but unfortunately we do not pay attention to them. If you wish to improve your personality, there are many personality development tips lying in abundance in all sorts of programs and books on this very subject.

As far as using persuasion skills to succeed are concerned, it is your body language that is most important and all books that contain personality development tips talk about body language in detail. You may not be aware, but almost 80% of human communication takes place through non verbal means. People read a lot from how you stand, how you talk, your mannerisms, and your use of hands and eyes to convey your message. As a part of the myriad personality development tips, persuasion plays a very important role in deciding the level of success you achieve in your life.