Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Emotional Intelligence

Note to Tony Abbott
Emotional Intelligence = The ability to do what is in your own best interests, despite the  urge to do what you want to do.
Our national leaders have a tough life with 24/ 7 media scrutiny, needing to be focused on polling and staying ahead of the opposition . BUT if you say the thing you want to say-perhaps for example-about homosexuality, virginity, ironing and the death of young soldiers rather than what is in your own best interests and that of others( the people who are homosexual,  do the ironing, are not virgins and who have lost children in war)  -then there will be very ruffled feathers, public outcry and a drop in popularity.

I am all for being true to yourself and speaking authentically-but with the active use of emotional intelligence- stop-pause to think-What impact will this statement have on the people who can get access to it? Am I best to say nothing at all or can I craft my language so  my actual message is heard and received sensitively- Then maybe the bad press and unexpected results will be reduced? What we say and how we say it has enormous impact on our effectivness as leaders and relationships with people. Developing strong emotional intelligence is the key, as it makes us mindful of our comments and mindful of the people around us.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Bullies

Redgate hates bullies!Two wonderful,young,clever and talented professionals that we have been working with, quit their positions, recently, because they found that ,despite being brave and tacking the bad and toxic behaviour of bullies in their workplace-using all the proper channels-speaking up, speaking respectfully, trying to follow HR processes, going to their bosses etc-nothing was done -so they are putting their mental health, their physical health and enjoyment of work first-as well as their families-and leaving for better , hopefully, more harmonious pastures.Message to bosses - if you don't deal with bullies-you will lose good workers.If you don't know how to ,then ask for help to develop the required skills.Australian organisations and companies cannot afford to lose such talented people.
We would love to hear from you if you have successfully had a bully change their behaviour or made you leave a job? Any success stories out there or does evil mostly triumph?