ing your feelings and moods as your responsibility; following through
on commitments.- Assertiveness. Being able to state your feelings, concerns, and opin-
ions without anger, hostility, or passivity. - Group dynamics. Cooperation and teamwork; knowing how and when
to lead or to follow. - Conflict resolution. Knowing how to fight fair; being able to disagree
agreeably; using a win-win negotiating approach.
In large part, emotional intelligence is the result of self-discipline in an
arena where we are fighting the raging bulls within ourselves. Positive intent
can lead to practiced responses. Practiced responses can lead to behavior
habits. Habits, as we all know, ultimately lead to what we call character—
and our character defines our destinies.
At the end of every discussion about others, we assess those individuals
on the basis of the emotional intelligence they display. We would all love to
be thought of as smart or talented, industrious, or even unique, but, ulti-
mately, we want to be thought of with affection. I once heard someone de-
scribe their friendship with a well-known individual in the following way,
“As gifted as she is at what she does, she is equally as good as a human
being.” I remember thinking to myself, “That is the ultimate compliment.
I could strive for no better than that.”
I suspect that behind such a profound compliment is a human being
who understands and practices emotional intelligence.
For more information on corporate training programs
or Selling with Emotional Intelligence,
visit <www.MitchAnthony.com>
or call 507-282-2723.Seven Habits of the Emotionally Competent 251