"The Emotional Intelligence and Diversity workshop is dynamic and fast-paced. Each segment contained useful tools with practical applications for any corporate environment. It provides a framework for developing respectful communication, understanding the anger cycle and managing organizational change and transition. I would highly recommend this workshop both personally and professionally."
Gail Meredith Diversity Development US Postal Service
While human beings function on both rational and emotional levels, emotions are at the heart of our energy, commitment and motivation. Feelings are also fundamental in forming our reactions to the differences we see in others, whether we approach or avoid, like or dislike, accept or reject. The more we understand and manage our emotional responses, the more we can enjoy increased comfort in relationships, effectiveness in interactions and peace within ourselves.
Cherbosque, Gardenswartz and Rowe’s definition of Emotional Intelligence and Diversity (EID) expands the traditional definition of Emotional Intelligence so that it has greater relevance in today’s diverse world. EID involves the ability to feel, understand, articulate, manage and apply the power of emotions to interactions across lines of difference.
Diversity, the multiple dimensions across which we interact, can be seen in the model below. It illustrates places where were are alike and different from others. Dealing with others across these lines of difference often triggers powerful responses that require emotional intelligence to manage. These dimensions are best depicted in the model below.
Emotional Intelligence and Diversity is an intentional, conscious process that enables you to gain understanding and mastery of a wide variety of skills. These competencies are both insight- and action-based and focus on understanding both yourself and others in order to have productive interactions.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIVERSITY
A critical first step in developing the ability to deal with differences is an awareness of yourself that enables you to understand your reactions to others. This involves being comfortable with who you are and an understanding of your values, passions, preferences and world view. It also entails acknowledging the biases and assumptions you have that influence your attitudes. Knowing yourself helps you predict your own behavior and know why you feel and react in a particular way. This insight is fundamental to managing your emotional reactions and behavior.
Knowing what makes me tick
Being comfortable in my own skin
Being in tune with my own biases and hot buttons
Destructive behaviors sometimes occur when powerful feelings triggered by differences are evoked. It is at times like these that the energy of emotions needs to be managed and channeled in a constructive direction. The skill of maintaining a positive attitude and self control in the face of upsetting emotions is what Self-Governance is about. This aspect of Emotional Intelligence involves dealing with ambiguity that is part of a diverse environment and remaining flexible and adaptable in the face of change. Finally, it involves taking charge of the mental self-talk that goes on when you encounter challenging differences.
Making ambiguity an ally
Being my own change master
Getting in charge of self-talk
In a diverse world, understanding and managing your emotions internally is not enough. Intercultural Literacy involves understanding others’ cultural rules, norms, and values, while being able to empathize with them and metaphorically walk in their shoes. It also encompasses resisting the temptation to judge other cultures as inferior by acknowledging the advantages and disadvantages of all cultural norms yours included. This deeper level of enlightenment helps you to understand others and get a handle on your own feelings about their behavior.
Understanding cultural whys behind behavior
Transcending my own perspective (empathy)
Seeing the benefits and limitations of all norms
Working effectively with others across the range of human differences requires that you consciously and intentionally manage your behavior in order to build productive relationships. This last arena of Emotional Intelligence and Diversity, Social Architecting, encompasses being able to serve as a cultural interpreter by helping others understand the different cultural rules and perspectives involved in situations. It also necessitates being able to resolve conflicts in ways that are mutually satisfying to all parties. Finally, building inclusive, synergistic environments that elicit the commitment and creativity of all is at the heart of Social Architecting.
Success as an employee, manager, leader or in any role in today’s diverse world requires the development of competence in each of these four areas of EID so that you can enjoy richness, satisfaction and effectiveness in the complex world in which you live.
Serving as a cultural interpreter
Communicating effectively and resolving conflicts in diverse settings
Structuring synergistic and compelling environments
While human beings function on both rational and emotional levels, emotions are at the heart of our energy, commitment and motivation. Feelings are also fundamental in forming our reactions to the differences we see in others, whether we approach or avoid, like or dislike, accept or reject. The more we understand and manage our emotional responses, the more we can enjoy increased comfort in relationships, effectiveness in interactions and peace within ourselves.
