Success through Emotional Intelligence

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1st September 2011 11:34 a.m.

I work as a Business and Finance Analyst for Oxleas, as part of my professional development I attended a CIMA evening on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and a day run by the NHS Finance Staff Development Network.

EI makes so much sense to me. The more emotionally capable you are, the higher your chances of success, and a lack of emotional strength appears to be the root of many problems.

I know Oxleas are the real experts so I searched our website to learn more, I know there is a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise that is freely accessible but where?

There is an interesting article on the BBC website written by James Tighe who also works for the trust, based at the Bracton Centre:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/mental_health/happiness.shtml , and I am currently reading book on Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goreman, but what are the practical steps for emotional education for adults?

Gill Ray

Gill is a Business and Finance Analyst for Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.

Gill.Ray@oxleas.nhs.uk

Comments

1 Pol says...

Hi Gill,
I agree with you about the importance of emotional intelligence and indeed praise you from stepping from the confines of your role into this development.

My view is that we all need to learn together in developing our understanding and communication skills.

I'm currently in discussion in another area of NHS about how well being can be secured through using emotional and social intelligence with creativity. .. see www.inthecompanyofothers.co.uk for more information and perhaps to keep in touch as things develop

Posted at 6:08 p.m. on September 7, 2011

2 Richard Comaish says...

Emotional intelligence is indeed a useful, important concept with practical ramifications, as is 'spiritual intelligence,' similarly. I recall feeling the need for such concepts in my youth, at a time when mainstream thinking would have brusquely dismissed them as examples of unmeasurable, unscientific and therefore 'useless, woolly, alternative thinking' - especially coming from a young student with no relevant qualifcations. I do get some personal satisfaction from feeling vindicated in this way, but remain, to this day, your largely unknown, unqualified, marginalised, alternative and 'woolly thinking' service user/carer governor. But I still study psychology in my own way, and continue to make 'before its time' observations while waiting for the relevant professionals to play catch-up!

Posted at 11:23 a.m. on September 8, 2011

3 James Ray says...

Emotional intelligence, as one of the several forms of intelligence recognised, is obviously important. What makes emotional intelligence potent and relevant. Other people; our ability to interact sucessfully with others and the ability also to deal with our own emotional state may make each person empowered.

Recognising that we feel something or others may feel something is the first step to true empathy and the ability to navigate yourself through life filled with human interaction.

I think this idea will become more and more relevant as it's potential is fully realised.

Posted at 12:19 p.m. on September 10, 2011

4 Gill Ray says...

Pol...
Thank you for your comment and web address. I think any learning experience to increase emotional intelligence and awareness is good, and look forward to your news.

Oxleas is a hive of creativity, with Occupational, Art and Music therapy, with people winning awards and selling crafts etc. We have Psychiatrist, Nurses, Psychologist, Social workers and more, working towards Mental ill health recovery encompassing emotions and social inclusion.

What I find interesting is the public's and commercial world's perception of emotional and social intelligence as opposed to descriptions including the words "mental" or prefixed with "psych". Much work is happening within our organisation and others like www.time-to-change.org.uk/ around improving this perception. A successful marketing strategy when a brand name is viewed negatively is that a change is required to promote positivity, perhaps Emotional ill health could be more appropriate in some cases.

Richard....
Thank you for your comment, indeed we all have our own unique story and insights which is why working together in a respectful way is most successful.

It is my understanding that Emotional Intelligence is two dimensional for yourself and others, and I found this book a very worthwhile read "The Compassionate Mind" by Paul Gilbert.

Posted at 12:10 p.m. on September 11, 2011

5 Richard Comaish says...

If I do have a 2D approach to EI, it would explain my life's failures, but seriously, Gill, there are many of us patients who may have got into the system thru an emotional sensitivity it doesn't always appreciate - the opposite, in other words. Yes to respect, but it needs to be mutual and earned. We also need a capacity for apology and contrition - we observe major changes in the psychiatric system in our lifetimes, many of which are now universally accepted as essential moves in the right direction. But have you ever heard the older generation of patients receiving apologies for what is now viewed as the inappropriate treatment we suffered? I haven't. Perhaps apology is too sensitive legally, like we were all about to sue the health boards that no longer exist, with the legal aid that's no longer available!(?). :D

Posted at 7:19 p.m. on September 13, 2011

6 Gill Ray says...

James...

Thank you for your comment, a supporting article is in the news today http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14889165.

It is always good when a piece of research supports the common sense we can all apply. It also supports the focus at Oxleas, treating people as one being not a separate body and mind.

Posted at 8:03 a.m. on September 14, 2011

7 Anne says...

I agree Gill, it is time for a fresh look at the language used. It is at best outdated and at worst to encourage negative perceptions. Emotional intelligence gets very little press and yet is so important for cooperation and understanding. It has been championed for the corporate good but seems almost invisible in terms of the individual within a wider society. The more discussion the better. Look forward to your future blogs

Posted at 10:16 a.m. on September 14, 2011

8 Gill Ray says...

Richard......
My understanding of EI is to accept ones feeling of failure of yourself or others and to look to ways that you can have a sense of achievement.
For me the best apology is improvement, as it is easy to be motivated by success but far harder to develop when things do not go well, but these times can bring about changes.
Innovation and the dissemination of best practice is a constant process in the NHS, and I think we can all contribute.

Anne.....
One area where EI of self can help individuals and hence the wider society is obesity, we are often told that it is as easy as doing more and eating less, if this was the case we would not have an epidemic. If you ask anyone with this problem about comfort eating, they will easily understand whether it be sadness, stress, anxiety etc. It has been demonstrated that the combination of Mindful CBT and a supportive weight loss programme is successful.
http://www.bps.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/pat_rep95_obesity_web.pdf
Currently GPs can offer vouchers for initial membership of a weight reducing group but is CBT on offer in combination?
Personally - 21 pounds and counting.

Posted at 2:16 p.m. on September 25, 2011

9 dave williams says...

Eleanor Roosevelt said "Nobody can make me feel inferior without my permission"

Self esteem problems, self conciousness can all be tackled if you learn to tune into your thoughts and feelings and learn to manage them so you are back in control. Also as you learn to listen and tune into others, you can develop constructive dialogues and learn from those who are on 'dirrefent wavelengths'

Arguments are just two people trying to be understood

Posted at 6:33 p.m. on October 11, 2011

10 Gill Ray says...

Thank you for the quote David, I think the idea that feelings can be under our control is an important one, I understand emotions do just pop in to your head, but you can nurture them or not, once you understand how.

You are absolutely right that we need emotional intelligence of self to turn self-consciousness into self-awareness, to give us resilience when our self-esteem gets knocked down and emotional intelligence of others to tune into people on a different wavelength. This NHS website has some really good practical advice:-http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/emotionalhealth/Pages/Buildemotionalresilience.aspx.

But I have to say that two people trying to be understood sounds like an everyday conversation, arguments to me are far more complex, with difficulties overlaid with passions and intense emotions. Arguments are an area where the balance between EI of self and others is absolutely vital, is it so important that we all feel empowered to put our points across without evoking an emotional response in the other party, be it one person or many, so that our needs are met and not subjugated to the needs of others. I think the more your feeling batteries are topped up the more you are able to be compassionate towards others and withdraw with grace from an unresolvable dispute.

I know my own knowledge of negotiation and advocacy is limited, but there are organisations that can help people who are stuck in an argument such as the mediation service in Swanley:-http://www.wkm.org.uk/

Posted at 5:13 a.m. on October 19, 2011

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