EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Click here to download a PDF of the Slides/Workbook for this Module

Click here to download the Learning Objectives for this Module

Click here to download a Word version of this Briefing Sheet

MATERIALS

• Jim Boneau: “Emotional Intelligence: Understanding Yourself to Understand Others” (YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSbpNenSAE4)
  • Worksheet:  "Want to Say/Should Say"
• HBR: “What Makes a Leader?” (Daniel Goleman) (https://hbr.org/2004/01/what-makes-a-leader)
• Brené Brown: “The Power of Vulnerability” TEDx Houston 2010 (https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability) (link provided under terms of a Creative Commons license, BY–NC–ND 4.0 International)
• Celeste Headlee: “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation” TED Talk, April 2015 (http://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation) (link provided under terms of a Creative Commons license, BY–NC–ND 4.0 International)
• Forbes: “Read This and Be a Better Listener Immediately” (Kristi Hedges) https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2016/03/31/read-this-and-be-a-better-listener-immediately/#5fec3eb764a2

TASKS

1. View Jim’s introduction to the module, “Emotional Intelligence: Understanding Yourself to Understand Others” and complete the "Want to Say/Should Say" worksheet.
2. Read “What Makes a Leader” and familiarize yourself with the Emotional Intelligence model’s components and hallmarks.
3. View the TED Talk videos (Headlee and Brown) and read “Read This and Be a Better Listener Immediately.” Identity 2-3 key takeaways from each. Be prepared to share your insights with your cohort group. “Takeaways” include:
   • something I want to do
   • something I want to really think about more
   • something I disagree with and want to understand more
   • something that challenged me, and that I want to pursue more
   • something that has had a lasting impact since I viewed the video
4. Recall a recent workplace conversation through the lens of your role as a leader/influencer and less as a technical expert. Write a short verbatim summary (6-8 lines for each side of the conversation). What surprised you about this conversation? Did you notice a shift in your language, from “legal speak” to something else? If so, what was it? Did you notice a different connection with the person? If so, what was it? What impact did this conversation have on your relationship? Be prepared to discuss this situation at a high level in the next seminar as an opportunity for you to differentiate your voice as a leader vs. a legal expert.

PERSONAL REFLECTION: 

1. Prior to doing this module’s pre-work, what did you know about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and how had you thought about it in relationship to your own life/work?
2. If EQ can be learned, what components would you be most interested in developing? What would be the value or benefit of this development in your current role?
3. Recall a recent business meeting during which you provided significant input. What impact did you have on others? How do you know this?
4. How do you “show up” at meetings? Do you find yourself multitasking during meetings or conversations, or are you really “present”? What impact does this have on others and on your ability to be fully engaged? How has this changed in the past year, when many meetings have moved to fully virtual?
5. How well do you use active listening skills with the intent to understand or the intent to respond?
6. How well do you pay attention to nonverbal communication, such as the speaker’s facial expressions, gestures and tone, in additional to verbal statements?
7. How do your biases and emotional filters play a role in your ability to listen without judgment until the person is finished making their points?

COHORT MEETING (Meet to discuss the following BEFORE classroom session)

• Check in and share any additional learning from the previous session.
• Using your responses to Personal Reflection questions 1 and 2, share with your group your current understanding of Emotional Intelligence as a leadership quality and potential development areas for you to increase your EQ.
• Share your learning from the activity in Jim’s video “Want to Say/Should Say.” What did you notice about the tone and potential impact of your words as you reflect on the contrast between the two columns? (You do not need to share exactly what you wrote in each column – instead, share your learning and judgments about what you wrote.)
• Share your key takeaways from any of the videos and articles and responses to the Personal Reflection questions.

MODULE 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the Emotional Intelligence framework and recognize your EQ strengths and growth opportunities.
• Identify appropriate methods of communication for different situations.
• Engage in active listening skills with the intent of understanding and responding (vs. reacting).
• Use clear and succinct language and the right tone to deliver your message.
• Discuss and provide strategies for translating “legal risk” into language the business can understand.