Terms like Emotional Intelligence, EQ, EI or Social and Emotional Intelligence have become popularised over the past 2 decades and more recently are being backed up by scientific studies and psychology.
However it is not a new concept or idea. Back as far as Socrates the great philosophers understood the importance of ‘Know thyself’.
Under the 4 Quadrant model of Social + Emotional Intelligence, it can be defined by:
- Awareness of Self
- Awareness of Others
- Management or Mastery of Self
- Social Behavioural Management
Studies show that S+EI (Social + Emotional Intelligence) is the best predictor of a child’s future achievement; better than any other single factor. S+EI is a better predictor of success than IQ and technical skills combined.
In the 1980s, Howard Gardner, in his important work on multiple intelligences, outlined the presence of seven domains of intelligence; two of them were interpersonal and intrapersonal – these combined were the forerunner of what we now know as emotional intelligence.
The term was first coined by Peter Salovey, professor and psychologist at Yale University, and John Mayer, professor and psychologist at the University of New Hampshire. In 1995 Daniel Goleman, the leading expert in this field, reported “IQ is only a minor predictor of success in life, while emotional and social skills are far better predictors of success and well-being than academic intelligence.”
Dr. Maurice Elias, a leading child psychologist, researcher and expert on S+EI from Rutgers University, explains the dangers of omitting social-emotional programs from our children’s classrooms. He maintains that “many of the problems in our schools are the result of social and emotional malfunction and debilitation from which too many children have suffered and continue to bear the consequences. Children in class who are beset by an array of confused or hurtful feelings cannot and will not learn effectively. In the process of civilising and humanising our children, the missing piece is, without doubt, social and emotional learning. Protestations that this must be outside of and separate from traditional schooling are misinformed, harmful and may doom us to continued frustration in our academic mission and the need for Herculean efforts in behavioural damage control and repair. The roster of social casualties will grow ever larger.”
Emotional well-being is “dramatically and positively predictive not only of academic achievement, but also of satisfactory and productive experiences in the world of work and marriage, even of better physical health.”
Under the 4 Quadrant model we work on 26 Core Competencies of Social and Emotional Intelligence, which are all ‘learned’ competencies – so its good to know that no matter where a young person (or adult for that matter) may be on the scale of S+EI today, they can always improve.
The 26 Core Competencies of Social + Emotional Intelligence are:
Self Awareness
- Emotional Self-Awareness
- Accurate Self-Assessment
- Personal Power
Self Management or Self Mastery
- Behavioural Self Control
- Integrity
- Innovation and Creativity
- Initiative and Bias for Action
- Achievement Drive
- Realistic Optimism
- Resilience
- Stress Management
- Personal Agility
- Intentionality
Other Awareness
- Empathy
- Situational Awareness
- Service Orientation
Relationship Management
- Communication
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Powerful Influencing Skills
- Conflict Management
- Inspirational Leadership
- Creating Change
- Building Bonds
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Coaching and Mentoring Others
- Building Trust
A young persons Social + Emotional Intelligence has been found to set the scene for their capacity for learning, retention and relationships at school, as well as their success in later life.
In a recent evaluation of the Atlanta-based Resolving Conflict Creatively (RCCP), a multi-school project which has social-emotional learning techniques at the core of its pedagogy,”there was generally less school violence, and there was increased self-esteem, improved abilities to help others, and greater personal responsibility for resolving conflicts among participating youngsters. After only two years of implementation, there were substantial improvements in participating schools’ course failure, dropout, student attendance and suspension rates.” Dr. Stanley J. Schneider, Senior Vice President of Metis Associates.
The benefits of the development of a young persons Social + Emotional Intelligence is clear:
- increased student engagement and attendance
- lower suspension rates
- greater personal responsibility
- increased self-esteem
- improved ability to help others
- less school violence
Social + Emotional Intelligence in teens must start with a top down approach – beginning with modelling by Parents and Teachers at home and in the classroom.
Some tips for students to increase Social + Emotional Intelligence
- Keep a journal to increase your self-awareness and self-reflection.
- Use “positive self talk” to encourage yourself; be your own best friend NOT your worst critic.
- Ask your friends to tell you their points of view on issues.
- Learn strategies you can use to calm yourself and shift your mood from negative to positive.
- Understand your “hot buttons,” the things that make you angry and upset, and work out ways to deal with them.
- Find opportunities to cooperate and engage in teamwork with your peers.
- Listen to your instincts: when with a friend or a significant other, if your gut says that there’s something wrong – you might just be right!
- Take quiet, alone time every day to listen to your inner voice. Be attentive to your own social and emotional needs.
- Be aware of people and places that make you feel good and those that don’t.
For teachers, parents and students a simple Social + Emotional Intelligence Profile can give you an indication of the current state of play with your own level of S+EI within the 4 Quadrants and the 26 Core Competencies, and give you an idea of areas that need to be improved.
Contact me if you’re interested in discussing Social + Emotional Intelligence Assessment and Training for your teachers and parents or implementing a Social + Emotional Intelligence program at your school.
It’s time to get smart about you and the way you engage with the world around you!
Nathan Hulls
Teen Behaviour Expert | Motivational Speaker | Leadership Coach
www.NathanHulls.com
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