Monday's Keynote Session with Dr. Travis Bradberry

You may know your IQ, but do you know your EQ? Dr. Travis Bradberry, the pioneer behind the ‘emotional intelligence’ (EQ) metric, says that maintaining a high EQ can help people both personally and professionally and is a better indicator of life successes. 

In his engaging and eye-opening keynote address on Monday, Bradberry, co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and co-founder of TalentSmart, defined emotional intelligence for ACI-NA members and explained its importance. 

In non-clinical terms, emotional intelligence is the interaction between emotion and reason. For some, the pathway between these two areas of the brain is a superhighway with no obstacles. For others, it’s a rutted, bumpy road. But there’s hope. By mastering four core skills, according to Bradberry, people can harness their emotions and channel behaviors appropriately.

 

1) self-awareness (recognize behavior to change)

2) self-management (channel the behavior wanted)

3) social awareness (read and respond to others by focusing on them)

4) relationship management (mastering the first three) 

The business implications of possessing a strong EQ are significant. Sixty percent of job performance is impacted by EQ. In addition, a staggering 90 percent of top performers are high in emotional intelligence. Therefore, recognizing and promoting an individual with a strong EQ will further strengthen one’s core team and continue to build a strong company culture. The key, says Bradberry, is practice. The skills need to be habitual in order to be developed. Lean into the discomfort and practice the behavior.