If you're striving to enhance your emotional intelligence, please start doing the below as a roadmap for EI enhancing: 1) Reflect on your emotions and reactions in various situations. 2) Practice managing your emotions effectively, especially when faced with difficult circumstances. 3) Show understanding and empathy towards others by actively listening to their perspectives and validating their feelings. 4) Build strong communication skills and nurture positive relationships by expressing empathy and resolving conflicts constructively. 5) Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Seek feedback from trusted sources and remain open to new insights and perspectives.

When taking these tests and assessments, always make sure you are reflecting based on your context. Emotional Intelligence is like a toolbox. You can use different tools for different situations instead of using a hammer for all challenges you face. Two people can have the same EQ score and yet display emotional intelligence levels in a completely different way. EQ is the Emotional Quotient that measures your emotional intelligence levels.

While meditation and reflection is paramount, seeking feedback is essential! There are many aspects of EI that can only be learned and improved upon through direct interaction. Especially when it involves crucial conversations- you need to be in a challenging moment to observe how you do react in the moment and how you handle a ‘moment’. It is essential to invest time in both person to person and small group conversations. Make sure you are ‘present’ in the interaction by also noticing body language (yours as well). As you notice the subtle reactions you gain valuable insights to what Paul Harvey used to say was “the rest of the story”. Happy observing.

Uma prática que considero fundamental para aprimorar minha inteligência emocional e alinhar-me constantemente com meus objetivos é o uso do feedback. Utilizo-o como uma ferramenta contínua para melhorar minha interação com as pessoas ao meu redor. O feedback adequado, vindo de uma fonte confiável, é especialmente valioso, pois oferece insights valiosos e perspectivas construtivas que me auxiliam no crescimento pessoal e profissional.

External feedback from multiple perspective is important to re-calibrate our own points of views. Because we see the world as we are, not necessarily as it is. However, you need to be highly self aware, clear on your core values and your vision in life. Because some feedback may be constructive, but not relevant to you. For example, when I was struggling, I had someone advising me to go work in a super market and make some bucks. It was constructive feedback in the sense that they had a positive intention to help bring more cashflow in. However, I also knew that if I would take away my energy from my mission, I would not pursue my dreams. So I ignored the feedback, and kept moving forward. Have a vision and be clear on your direction.

Most people I speak to are wary of mindfulness because they don't know what it is. For them, it's a wooly, fuzzy concept - something to do with meditation - and they consider they are "bad" at it. It is in fact awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally. So in plain speak, just paying attention to the breath will hit the target, and is hugely beneficial. If you breathe in to the count of four, hold your breath for two counts, and breathe out to the count of 6 you calm the nervous system and practise mindfulness. If you do this for 3 minutes morning and evening, you will start to see a difference: including improved focus and the ability to objectify thoughts and emotions.

Mindfulness is often misunderstood as spiritual woo-woo. While in essence it is the same as focus. The business world is desperately looking for people that have high levels of focus. Higher focus levels means higher performance levels. Focus is basically placing your awareness and attention in the same direction without distraction. Mindfulness is being present in the moment, focusing your awareness and attention on what is happening now without distraction. Unfortunately, words do have power in how we perceive and feel. But at the end, they often mean the same thing. If you don't like mindfulness, than practice focusing your attention.

Have a beginner's mindset and fall in love with being curious. You can learn so much about yourself by observing and understanding others. It is not always positive though, but those are often your best lessons. I learned life's most valuable lessons from people who lacked integrity. It is a reminder of who you don't want to be. The other day a Professor shared a fascinating insight which I resonate with. He said that he is more afraid of people who pretend to have no darkness/shadow in them at all. Because they are hiding this side in order to control/manipulate. But people who own their shadow side, are the ones he trusts. It is not about hiding those parts, but about managing them and acting out of integrity.

Challenging yourself comes with emotional discomfort. And that's a good thing, because it means you are growing and evolving in life. Some of my best work came with immense discomfort. With doubt and second guessing myself. You need that as well, to innovate and improve. If you don't push yourself to do better, be better and reach for excellence - you are going to deliver mediocracy. Mediocracy is fuelled by a fixed mindset. Greatness is fuelled by a growth mindset. Become comfortable being uncomfortable so you can unleash the greatness that is already in you.

This step, to challenge ourselves when it comes to our emotional intelligence, is so often the most difficult one to take. It requires courage and, sometimes, stepping into the unknown and the uncertain. Take small steps and experiment on a 'safe to fail' basis. Observe what happens and be curious about finding the learning, then keep going. It takes time, patience and tenacity, but the benefits are worth it for personal growth, development and the creation of stronger relationships.

Try unusual ways to improve your EQ. Acting classes such as improv, spending time with therapy dogs, volunteering in diverse communities, laughter yoga, even spending time in nature can help you get more attuned to other's feelings and emotions, can challenge preconceptions, broaden perspectives, and strengthen interpersonal skills, enhancing emotional intelligence.