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Emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical skill in today’s rapidly evolving world. Dr. Jenny Woo, a Harvard-trained educator and emotional intelligence researcher, is at the forefront of this field. As the founder and CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, Dr. Woo has made it her mission to help people enhance their emotional intelligence to build deeper, more meaningful connections. Her work spans over 50 countries, empowering individuals to navigate personal and professional relationships with empathy and insight.
The Origins of Dr. Woo’s Journey
Dr. Woo’s personal journey in emotional intelligence began at a young age. As an immigrant to the United States who didn’t know English or even the alphabet, she quickly learned the importance of non-verbal communication and social cues. The challenges of adapting to a new culture, living without her parents for five years, and adjusting to an entirely new environment shaped her understanding of EI. It wasn’t until she entered the corporate world as a management consultant at Deloitte that she fully recognized the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership and teamwork.
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: Leadership and Critical Thinking
In leadership development, Dr. Woo stresses the value of recognizing cognitive biases and assumptions. Leaders often fall into the trap of expecting others to think and act as they would, which can create disconnects within teams. To overcome this, leaders need to be self-aware, challenge their assumptions, and remain flexible in how they approach different perspectives.
Asking questions to clarify intentions and understanding the reasons behind others’ actions are key strategies for promoting empathy and inclusiveness in the workplace. Dr. Woo’s approach emphasizes creating a culture where everyone works cohesively, ensuring that emotional intelligence becomes a collective effort rather than an individual endeavor.
The Power of Sharing Mistakes and Failures
In a world where social media often highlights only the success stories, Dr. Woo advocates for sharing personal mistakes and failures as well. She believes that acknowledging the challenges along the path to success helps others feel less isolated in their own struggles. Sharing these experiences not only humanizes the journey but also creates an environment where learning from failures is valued.
Listen to this episode to learn about...
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[1:30] Defining Emotional Intelligence (EI)
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[12:12] Why EI is so important in a highly digital world
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[17:07] Communicating better through leadership development
Listen to the bonus episode to learn simple exercises to build up your emotional intelligence
Resources:
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Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube
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Check out her card deck and her online emotional intelligence course
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(The NSLS does not endorse or profit from these products. Any links or discounts shared by guests on Motivational Mondays are provided at their discretion and are independent of the NSLS.)
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