Someone was bullied for his skin color at my school. Typically, I would ignore something like this, but I have learned about the EQ Zone (Emotionally Intelligent Zone) at Frolific, and I understand the emotional impact. I recognized that he had been pushed out of his EQ Zone into his Low Zone, and I could not ignore that. I helped him stand up to his friends who were being mean.
- Frolific Student Age 14
Our young student's journey from recognizing emotional distress to taking action is a powerful testament to the impact of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) on leadership. In just four weeks of attending classes, the application of EQ principles transformed a potentially overlooked incident into a moment of significant personal and communal growth.
What Is EQ?
EQ stands for Emotional Quotient and it measures your Emotional Intelligence which is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions.
Once you know how to recognize emotions in yourself, you are enabled to identify emotions in others as well. The analogy of securing your oxygen mask on an airplane before assisting others illustrates the essence of EQ. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and regulating your emotional state before you can effectively help others.
Understanding Your EQ Zone
Think of your EQ Zone as your zone of resilience, where rational decisions flourish, even amidst the ups and downs of life, because you are in a state of emotional equilibrium. But triggers, like witnessing bullying, can catapult you into the 'High Zone,' characterized by anger, or into the 'Low Zone,' marked by feeling deflated.
This image has been adapted from SEE curriculum of Emory University
Tips On How To Recognize The Three Zones:
Anger, frustration, or anxiety are typically signs on being in the High Zone.
Being in High Zone often leads to the inability to focus, confusion, and irrational decisions
Sadness, fear and shame typically manifest themselves in the Low Zone.
Being in Low Zone often leads to feeling demotivated, low self-esteem, and self-doubt
A Call to Action: Embrace EQ for Empathetic Leadership
Recognizing your emotional state, as it shifts across these zones, enhances your ability to discern similar patterns in others. This capacity for empathy lies at the core of leadership.
Let's not underestimate the power of emotional intelligence in shaping compassionate leaders. Whether you're 14 or 40, it's never too late to develop your EQ and make a meaningful difference in your community.