Episode 005: Dr. Travis Bradberry with Bill Hybels and Heather Larson

SUMMARY:

One of the most impactful sessions at the 2016 Global Leadership Summit was given by researcher Dr. Travis Bradberry, author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0. In this episode of the GLS Podcast, Executive Pastor Heather Larson, interviews Bill Hybels about how he is working to build the emotional intelligence (EQ) muscle on the staff at Willow Creek Community Church.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• There are four key skills in emotional intelligence:
  1. Self-Awareness
  2. Self-Management
  3. Relational Awareness
  4. Relationship Management
• People can start to develop EQ through the discipline of self-reflection and journaling.
• Self-management is not about stuffing your emotions but channeling them toward a preferred outcome.
• Managers are in the best position to reflect accurate EQ data to their employees.
• When there is an emotionally-sensitive topic, it is often better to communicate in-person instead of with email.
• High levels of EQ eliminate unnecessary pain in your organization.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Think about an experience where someone with whom you worked had low emotional intelligence. What was that experience like for you? Now contrast it with a work experience you have had with someone who had high EQ.
2. Reflect on your own emotional intelligence. Which key EQ skill is the most challenging for you?
   • Self-Awareness
   • Self-Management
   • Relational Awareness
   • Relationship Management
3. Identify one way you could grow in the challenge you identified (Examples: Keep an emotions journal, Ask for feedback from a supervisor or colleague, Keep an emotion vs. reason list, etc.). Make a plan to do it.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry

The Intangibles of Leadership by Dr. Richard Davis

RELATED LINKS:

Travis Bradberry’s LinkedIn articles

Talent Smart Emotional Intelligence Training

The Global Leadership Summit

Willow Creek Community Church