How are you
feeling? Examining the importance of emotional awareness in a world that does not recognize it as an intelligence
The word “intelligence” is often they come from and why you’re mance.” synonymous with academic achieve- reacting that way, you can manage Communications student ment or problem solving ability. them better,” Laptalo said. “If you Hyunah Roh has tutored youngHowever, a different kind of intel- can’t manage your emotions, it’s not er students in the past and believes ligence that is just as important is only uncomher experience emotional intelligence. fortable for “When you have a helped improve According to Paly Communica- you but for the greater awareness of her emotional intions teacher Melissa Laptalo, the people around your own emotions, telligence. better someone’s ability to under- you.” where they come from stand and manage emotions is, the The ben- and why you’re reacting “We can relate better their communication skills. efits of emo- that way, you can to them more be“A lot of interviews ask you to tional intelli- manage them better.” cause we’ve been describe a challenge you faced and gence apply to in their shoes and Melissa Laptalo, Communications teacher how you responded to it,” Laptalo interpersonal they look at us as said. “The higher your emotional c o m mu n i c a role models,” Roh intelligence, the more comfortable tion across many domains, from said. “We can give them advice so you are identifying those moments sports to volunteering to work. that they can avoid any obstacles we in your life and talking about them.” Zander Darby, a senior on the faced.” But what Paly varsity baseRoh has also found interpersonal is the big deal “When you’re talking ball team, cites skills useful for communication with with emotion- with someone in person, emotional intel- customers at her job. al intelligence you always want to give ligence as an im“When I’m working, I’m thinkanyway? Ac- them your full attention, portant factor in ing about what the customer would cording to like not being on your developing trust think or how the customer would E m o t i o n a l phone or making eye and team chem- react,” she said. “You need to know I n t e l l i g e n c e contact.” istry. what to say when they’re not in Hyunah Roh, senior by Daniel Go“A leader with a good mood. I always tell them leman, being good emotional ‘Thank you for waiting’ when they able to read others emotionally can intelligence knows the right time to come in and their facial expressions improve relationships and social in- talk to their teammates or let them lighten up.” teractions. cool off,” Darby added. “Staying Learning about emotional intel“When you have a greater aware- calm and in control during stress- ligence is especially important for ness of your own emotions, where ful situations helps improve perfor- the younger generations growing up
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