This past Thursday, October 11, 2012 I spoke at Stanford University on Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in the Family. This was my 11th talk sponsored by Stanford’s Work/Life Program.
I based my talk on Daniel Goleman’s 4 areas of Emotional Intelligence.
•EMOTIONAL SELF-AWARENESS
•MANAGING EMOTIONS
•EMPATHY – READING EMOTIONS
•HANDLING RELATIONSHIPS
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My focus was on how to apply 3 points about Emotional Intelligence.
1.Emotional Self-Awareness can be learned at any age.
2.Managing emotions begins with understanding where emotions come from.
3.Empathy– Listening to emotions leads to improved thinking.
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We had a great time discussing how we would think, feel and what we would do as we looked at three different photos of challenging situations. They were 1. 2 kids fighting over the remote control, 2. a teenager sitting in a very messy room and 3. 2 students stuck about homework. It is helpful to realize that our thinking about an event leads to our feelings that influences our actions. This chain of events can happen so fast that we are unaware of why we are getting so upset. Reviewing afterwards what actual thoughts and beliefs led to our feelings and actions will help in future management of emotions.
How have you been able to self-reflect and change how you are reacting to potentially explosive situations so you are better able to manage your relationships with your children?
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Contact me if your group would like to learn about Emotional Intelligence. Cynthia Klein, Certified Parent Educator, bridges2understa.wpstagecoach.com. Middle School Mom columnist for Parenting on the Peninsula Magazine .
