Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability one has so as to identify, assess, as well as control the emotions of oneself, that of others, and of groups. It involves attention to, emotional empathy, as well as discriminating one's emotions. More over, it includes accurately recognizing the mood of one as well as for others, managing it and possession of good communication as well as social skills.

For effective and successful management of organizations and human resources, there are a number of challenges to be experienced. Organizations, businesses or companies are downsizing, some are reengineering for the aim of competing in the global world as well as facing an explosion of readily available information.

In a modern organization, an employee who has high emotional intelligence can manage his or her own impulse, manage change properly, communicate with the rest appropriately, solve issues, as well as use humor in building rapport in a tense situation. More over, these employees also possess empathy; they maintain optimism even in the presence of adversity. They are also gifted at persuading and educating in a sales circumstances as well as resolving any customer complaint in the role of a customer service.

There are a number of emotional intelligence competencies, which can contribute more to a workplace achievement than being without (Bennis 2004). First, intuition and empathy; this is being aware of the feelings, concerns and needs of others. This competency is important in a modern organization due to various reasons. It helps one to understand others as well as show an interest in their interests and concerns. It also aids in building the ability for one to anticipate, recognize as well as meet a customer's needs. It helps in developing people, that is, the ability in sensing what other people need so as to develop, grow, and master their strengths. Lastly, it cultivates opportunities through leveraging diversity.

Another competency is political acumen as well as social skills. This refers to our adeptness at which we can induce a desirable response in others. It is also important in a modern organization for a number of reasons. It is important at influencing, which is, using effective methods and techniques for persuasion and attaining desired results.

It aids in the process of sending clear as well as convincing messages, which can be, understood by other employees. In addition, it helps in leadership qualities; to inspire and guiding groups of individuals. It assists one to work with business partners and coworkers towards common goals, in addition to, nurturing essential relationships for the success of an organization.  It is essential in the resolution of conflicts amongst individuals as well as initiating changes in an organization. Lastly, it is a catalyst in the creation of group synergy in the quest of collective goals.

There are personal competencies, which are important in determining how an individual can manage himself or herself. Self awareness is a state where an individual knows one's preferences, intuitions, internal states, and resources. It involves self confidence; being sure of one's capability and self-worth. More over, it is the art of knowing an individual's strength as well as limits. Under it, emotional awareness is the recognition of one's emotions, in addition to, their consequences on those surrounding an individual.

Self regulation is a competency which involves the management of an individual's impulses, internal states, as well as resources. It is very important in an organization for a number of reasons. For example, self control, which is the management of a disruptive emotion and impulse. It is important for the maintenance of the standards of integrity and honesty. It is responsible for flexibility in the way one handles change, and conscientiousness; that is the shouldering of responsibility or being responsible for one's own performance. Lastly, it is important at innovation; that is being comfortable with openness to approaches, novel ideas, as well as new information (Perrella 1999).

Self expectations and motivation are emotional tendencies, which guide the attainment of goals. This is a competency which is important for a reason like achievement drive. This is striving so as to improve or achieve a standard of excellence that one imposes on himself or herself. It is also important in commitment where one aligns with the targets of an organization. More over, it is a catalyst in getting an individual to be ready to act on an opportunity without being given a notice. Lastly, it is important in the idea of optimism, which is, persisting in the pursuit of goals despites experiencing setbacks.

SEL Programm

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to an instructional process in which children are taught how to identify and control their emotions, establishing vital personal and academic goals, applying social awareness and interpersonal skills to build and sustain positive relationships, and making responsible choices to attain success in school and life in general (Elias, 2010). Studies show that SEL programs enhance students’ social and emotional growth, eagerness to learn, behavior in and out of school, and school performance.

The aim SEL Programs is to help the students gain a sense of self-awareness and acquire self-management skills necessary to attain success in school and in general life, helping students to use social awareness and interpersonal skills to create and sustain positive relationships, and to help them acquire decision-making skills and learn the importance of behaving responsibly both in school and in the community contexts (Linda, 2008).

Teaching Strategies

In this two week program, I will follow the Strong start K-2 Social and Emotional Learning program to instill various emotional and social skills in Grade 1 students. The Strong start program has been formulated for primary school curriculum and it has proved to be very effective in instilling social and emotional skills in children (Velsor, 2009). Social and emotional capacities are vital life-long skills required for positive behavior as well as academic success.

The Strong start curriculum encompasses the following key areas of social and emotional growth:

• Identifying and managing ones emotions and those of others.
• Gaining empathy, care, and concern for others.
• Building positive relationships.
• Handling challenges and taking responsible decisions.
• Interpersonal conflict resolution.
• Reflective thinking.
• Developing self-esteem and a sense of self-efficacy.

The strong start program aims at developing holistic students who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy. Aside from improving student’s academic performance, the program helps students to succeed in all aspects of life in general (Kronmiller, 2010). Moreover, students become more aware of themselves and their abilities which leading to happier life. The program offers instructors a systematic framework for improving social and emotional awareness of students as well as their academic competence (Nick, 2008).

Objectives of My Program

The objectives of the 2-week program shall be as follows:

• Improving students’ sense of responsibility.
• Enhancing students’ reflective abilities.
• Improving students’ communication skills with adults and with their counterparts.
• Using classroom instruction to encourage pro-social and responsible behavior.
• To enhance students’ ability for recognizing, interpreting others emotions.
• To improve students ability for identifying and understanding similarities and distinctions in emotions, responses, and perspectives from them and others.
• To enhance development of empathy and viewpoint-taking in students.
• To assist students apply social-problem solving skills to conflict resolutions.

To help students use the above skills to create a positive climate in the classroom and to improve their academic

In conclusion, what is being proved is the importance of having employees who are highly emotionally intelligent. This is important in the business world if one has to have an upper hand in the competitive field (Goleman 2008). Nowadays, organizations tend to focus their selection criteria, as well as training programs on skills like technical expertise, knowledge, industry. An individual with leadership skills has to have emotional intelligence in order to align personal as well as subordinate goals to accomplish the goals of an organization. In a summary, there are about four responsibilities which a leader must put into practice at all levels of an organization or business. Firstly, transfer ownership for work to individuals or employees who do the work. Secondly, an environment where the transfer of ownership can occur is created or developed. This is a situation where each individual would want to be responsible for their own performances.

This involves the painting of a clear picture of what the organization believes quality performance is, for the organization and each individual; while focusing each employee on the few quality performance factors; developing in each individual the desire to be responsible for their performance; bringing into line organization systems as well as structures to put across a clear message as to what is essential for great performance; engaging each one's mind, heart, as well as hands in the business of the organization or company; and energizing individuals around the business sphere. Thirdly, create and maintain individual competence as well as capability. Lastly, come up with conditions in the company, business or organization that challenge each individual person to learn continuously, not locking him or her self out. These are the four principals which align personal as well as company goals through emotional intelligence.