BLOG

ALL
TALENT AND PERFORMANCE
LEADERSHIP AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
SCENARIOS AND TRENDS
SUCCESS STORIES
SPECIALS

SORT BY DATE

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

The perspective of lack and the perspective of abundance “If I could have a bigger house, there wouldn’t be all this mess. If I had more money, I would certainly change this furniture…lucky Marco who can afford to buy even the glass table, made by a craftsman” “If I were thinner, I would have an easier time finding clothes that fit me” “With the life I lead I can only see my friends once a month” “I couldn't get that executive position” “The only people I still hang out with are Lucia and Giovanni” _______________________ “I have a house. It is small but it's my house. I also managed to furnish it. Sure, maybe my furniture is not very luxurious but it does its job and allows me to feel surrounded by something that reflects me and welcomes me” “Well, I may not be thin but I enjoy life! And then, now, it's easier to find pants that also have elastic at the waist, which makes me feel more comfortable and at ease, even with a few extra pounds” “Even though I have a demanding job and many family commitments, I still manage to organize some dinners and weekends with friends. I see them every month!” “Even though I haven't managed to become a manager yet, I know that I work well and it makes me proud to leave my mark on what I do” “Lucia and Giovanni fill my life: I know I can count on them and they are close to me. Not everyone has someone who really cares” You've already noticed, right? The sentences in the first block and those in the second block tell exactly the same situation . What makes them so different? The perspective. The first sentences look at life from the perspective of lack: the focus is on what we don't have The latter look at life from the perspective of abundance: the focus is what we have. If we nourish the perspective of lack, it will be increasingly difficult to be satisfied, to rejoice: we will always find a good reason not to do so. And with great probability we will also sabotage the beautiful moments that will appear before us... to the point of not even noticing them anymore, so much will we be burdened by the frustration and discouragement that we ourselves will have fueled. If, instead, we nourish the perspective of abundance, day after day we will realize more and more of all the beauty that we have within reach , of how much we can be grateful and how beautiful it is to be grateful. Gratitude fuels our sense of fullness, satisfaction, joy. And it fuels fullness, satisfaction, and joy even in those around us. An abundance perspective not only helps us appreciate what we have, but also offers us the ability to seize new opportunities, find creative solutions, and overcome difficulties with an open, curious, lively, and resolute mindset. And it can also positively impact our mental and physical health! We can choose to smile at life or let our smile fade away. We can choose whether to bring light or shadow. We can choose what glasses to wear when we look inside ourselves and look around us. If we give ourselves even just a moment every day to appreciate what we have, we will realize how rich we are and we will feel serene, powerful and even happy.

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

The body language: how emotions take shape Throughout history, numerous scholars have attempted to explore the intricate interconnection between body and emotions. From psychology to neuroscience, research has shown that our physical state can profoundly influence our emotional state and vice versa. The theory proposed by James and Lange argues that emotions arise from the physiological responses of the body. According to this perspective, we are not sad because we cry; rather, we cry because we feel sad. In other words, emotions are the result of our physical reactions to external stimuli. Charles Darwin, for his part, contributed significantly to the debate on the link between body and emotions with his work "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals", in which he underlines the adaptive value of emotions, functional to the optimization of social communication and, even before, to guarantee survival! Paul Ekman , inspired by Darwin, has conducted extensive research on emotions and facial expressions. There are universal emotions, recognizable through specific expressions, regardless of culture: joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and contempt, which we communicate through brief and involuntary manifestations, known as "microexpressions" Richard Lazarus then introduced the Coping Theory, emphasizing the role of cognitive appraisal in the emotional process. According to Lazarus, emotions are not only physiological responses, but are also influenced by our interpretations and appraisals of situations. This implies that by modifying our perception and our bodily responses, we can influence our emotions. Awareness of how the body reacts to emotions can therefore become a valuable tool for managing stress and negative emotions. And, if it is true that emotions manifest themselves in the body , it is equally true, according to studies, that the body can influence emotions. The connection emotions – body – mind is a continuum in which each element influences the other, in a circular way. How then can we use our body as a tool to manage emotions? Posture: Posture has a direct impact on our emotions. Try to maintain an open posture: shoulders relaxed and head held high. You will notice an improvement in your perception of yourself and in the perception that others have of you. Mindful Breathing : Breathing can bring us back to the present when anxiety takes over. We breathe in the here and now, not in the past or the future. Focusing on our breathing keeps us grounded in the present. When you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to focus on slow, deep breaths, allowing your body and mind to relax. Movement: Whether it's a walk, a run, or a yoga session, physical activity releases endorphins, which can elevate your mood and reduce tension. Facial Expression: Although emotions may come up involuntarily, we can practice using positive facial expressions. Smiling, even when we don't feel happy, can trick our brain into improving our mood. Meditation and Mindfulness : Meditation and mindfulness practices can increase awareness of emotions and the body. Learning to recognize emotions without judgment allows us to limit reactions and act more consciously. The theories of Ekman, James, Darwin, Lazarus and many others offer us inspiration to explore and understand emotions and their connection to the mind and body more deeply. By using our body as a tool, we can influence our emotions in a positive way, improving our quality of life and our relationships. Every small change in posture, facial expressions, listening and breath management can have a big impact on our emotional state. Are you ready to discover how body awareness can transform your emotional world? Start your journey now and enrich it with experiences every day! Curiosity makes us alive, awareness makes us powerful.

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

Appreciating the "Little Things" to improve our Cognition and well-being We live in a world that seems to run at a dizzying speed. We are constantly immersed in an incessant flow of information, expectations and goals to achieve. These daily demands often overwhelms us, leading us to live automatically, without really perceiving what is happening around us. We get caught up in a whirlwind of frenzy, forgetting to stop and appreciate the little things that represent an essential foundation on which to build our happiness and well-being. How many times, for example, in the morning, do we wake up and make a coffee without paying attention? Instead of living that moment to the fullest, we often consider it just a necessary step before diving into our daily activities. But what if we stopped for a moment to smell the aroma of coffee wafting through the room? Or to appreciate the warmth of the cup in our hands and the awakening that the first sip gives us? By choosing to realize how privileged we are to be able to enjoy a hot coffee every day, perhaps immersed in the tranquility of our homes or experiencing the welcome of a bar, we begin to nourish a feeling of gratitude towards this simple, yet precious, daily experience. Often, we become so accustomed to the things we have—a roof over our heads, loving company, health—that they end up taking for granted.The familiar becomes invisible, and we lose the ability to appreciate it. The fragility of life, however, teaches us that everything can change in an instant. What we take for granted today may not be accessible tomorrow, and this reminds us of the importance of recognizing and appreciating every single moment and every single gift. Even our ability to experience the beauty of everyday life, like a walk in the park, is not guaranteed. When we walk, how often are we present to what is around us—the birds singing, the scent of flowers, or the simple privilege of moving freely? The idea of losing all of this can push us to seriously reflect on how precious what we have is and to renew our sense of gratitude every day. Even in the workplace, we can practice gratitude. Every smile exchanged, every gesture of help, every word of encouragement we receive are gifts to be recognized and appreciated. Training ourselves to notice and value these small gestures not only enriches our personal experience, but contributes to creating a positive and collaborative work environment. Including the expression of gratitude in our work routines, for example through recognizing colleagues' successes, even if small, can strengthen interpersonal bonds, foster a sense of belonging, and motivate everyone to work harder. The emotions we feel in relation to small things profoundly affect our mood and our quality of life. Gratitude, in particular, is a powerful emotion that can lift our spirits, making us happier and more satisfied. It is a complex emotion that involves the ability to recognize and appreciate not only the good things we have, but also the acts of kindness towards us. According to various research, including that of Emmons and Mishra (2011), gratitude can act at the neuronal level, engaging specific areas of our brain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with the potential to generate significant synaptic changes and cognitive improvements. Practicing gratitude, not as an isolated act, but as a habit of life, can profoundly transform our well-being and our effectiveness, because it leads us to reflect on the relationships we build, on the impact of others on us and on our place in the world, thus building more awareness, nourishing empathy and feeding other pleasant emotions, such as serenity, joy, hope. race, providing us with the key to positive and proactive prospects. Let us, therefore, take a step back from the frenzy and treat ourselves to observing the world around us: we will find in it many reasons to smile and want to build.

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

Emotions are inherently positive! Emotions are invaluable guides that accompany us on life's journey. Each one carries a message that can indicate the direction we should take. For example, joy shows us what we should continue to cultivate, while fear warns us that there is something to pay attention to and prepares us to face potentially difficult or critical situations. Despite manifesting in various forms, in different intensities, pleasant or unpleasant, emotions are practical and useful if we are willing to open to them and learn from their wisdom. Thus, emotions are always positive. According to a Cherokee legend, two wolves live inside us: one is gentle, balanced, and white; the other is aggressive, noisy, and black. If we feed only the white wolf, the black one will feel neglected and hungry, waiting to attack with increasing vigor to show it exists and deserves to be heard too because it also travels with us every day. However, if we feed both wolves, each one will respect its space and provide its presence when needed. Just as it is vital to pay attention to both the white and black wolves, it is also essential to pay attention to every emotion, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Emotions that we reject, suppress, or ignore will raise their voices more and more to be heard, ultimately overwhelming us. By listening, recognizing, and welcoming our emotions, we can work with them to promote our well-being and success. Emotions are a bridge between us and the world, our mind and body, ourselves and others. If you want to learn more about emotions, contact me to join the next edition of the Emotional Bridge Master in emotion management (in partnership with the Evolutionary Coaching School for professional coaches and business managers), personalized training courses anc coaching paths, emotional intelligence tests.

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence