Questions:
In your response to at least two peers, address the following:
Identify their strengths from their self-assessment and how these strengths will help them in the workplace.
Make a suggestion to help them improve their skills in one area of emotional intelligence that they would like to focus on.
PEER POST # 1
The results of this assessment are important to me because it is always important to want to progress and better myself. Part of being an effective leader is by being self aware, which is understanding areas in which you can improve and areas in which you excel (Soomo, 2023, p 5.3). To me, the assessment is relevant because not only does it affect me in a business and societal role, but also by understanding my emotional intelligence, it can help me improve as a father and husband. Emotional intelligence has a significant correlation to effective leaders, so it is important to have a high level to improve as a human.
I will be able to apply these results in my professional life by being able to focus more on what others are saying so I can improve my level of empathy. By being more empathetic, it will help me work better alongside my coworkers as well as build better relationships in the workplace. I will be able to apply these results to everyday conversation with my coworkers by asking more about how they have been and understanding their background more, which in turn will help me discover what motivates them to do what they do every day.
The area in which I believe I should improve would be motivation. This area is where I suffer the most, as I can easily come off track and be put behind on what I am working on. This somewhat ties into my social skills as I often times find myself helping others and taking phone calls to assist customers in the field. When my work load isnt high, I often times find myself becoming bored which in turn leads to me actually procrastinating the little work that I do have and spending more time talking with others and spending more time away from my work. While I still complete my work on time, if I found what motivated me I would be more likely to complete my work sooner so that I could find more to do so that I could continue to learn more about the industry I am working in to help move up the ladder.
PEER POST # 2
The emotional intelligence test I took recently has significantly impacted my role as a coach at our company. Despite my long managerial career of 18 years, I have been striving to improve my behavior to become a better leader for my team. My assessment scores were self-awareness (12), self-regulation (10), motivation (7), empathy (12), and social skills (10), totaling 51 out of 75. While this shows I am doing okay, I really want to be a leader who is mindful and empathetic toward my peers and associates.
What I learned this week from the Soomo Module was enhancing self-awareness through proactive feedback-seeking and integration of a daily journal, which I now realize is crucial in my managerial role. I need to consistently be mindful of my stakeholders. Asking myself questions, to understand what motivates me was an eye opener. Recognizing the importance of identifying personal values and tasks that offer a sense of achievement, thereby generating motivation. The insights also focused on managing distractions, particularly combating procrastination through self-talk and breathing exercises, while aiming to improve self-regulation by considering body language, anticipating outcomes, and pausing before reacting. Knowing the importance of empathy, encouraging perspective-taking, active listening, and empathetic responses during high-stress situations. Strengthening social skills by showing genuine interest in others was highlighted, exemplified by an engaging encounter that sparked curiosity about my Filipino heritage, prompting a desire to explore and connect with cultural roots more deeply.
This module has given me a self check on how I need to improve my emotional intelligence in my professional life. In a challenging week, particularly due to diverse customer needs and stressed associates during the busy holiday season, I have focused on staying positive and considering different viewpoints. Handling these pressures required self-talk and deep breathing to maintain my mental well-being. I learned that improving empathy and self-regulation are key areas for me to concentrate on as they directly impact my leadership style and team dynamics. For example, I closed the store one day this week and asked the team lead to refill the empty egg wall and replenish the low milk stock. When the team lead sought help, his immediate coach told him to manage it. The team lead had a call-in and his team associate needed a lunch. This led to a tense argument between them. Another coach from a different section offered help, and I also offered my assistance. The team lead, frustrated by his coach, vented to other peers about the situation. I intervened, suggesting ways to mend their relationship and diffuse the negativity. In line with our recent lesson on emotional labor, we explored three levels: surface, deep, and genuine acting. Deep acting, where one genuinely tries to empathize and align displayed emotions with experienced ones, emerged as the most effective leadership approach in this situation. (Soomo, 2023,pg.5.4)
Knowing that self-regulation, motivation, and social skills are my growth opportunities. I will be implementing what I have learned to enhance my leadership capacity. By focusing on refining self-regulation, which involves managing immediate responses and considering outcomes before reacting, I aim to ensure more composed and thoughtful interactions. Focusing on motivation through identifying personal values, setting attainable goals, and seeking tasks that provide a sense of achievement will bolster my drive and effectiveness in leadership. Emphasizing the development of social skills, such as genuine interest in others, active listening, and empathetic responses, particularly in high-stress situations, will fortify my abilities to engage effectively with stakeholders and lead the team more efficiently. Integrating these principles into my daily interactions will elevate my leadership capabilities within the store environment.
