EQ and the Decision Making Composite

Emotional intelligence and agility of crucial for leaders. A particularly important EQ composite is the Decision Making one. Specifically:

The Decision-Making Composite consists of Problem Solving, Reality Testing, and Impulse Control.

1.       Problem Solving is the ability to solve problems with the help of emotions (yours and others’).

2.       Reality Testing is the ability and tendency to use what is actually, objectively happening to ground you and inform communication, emotional reactions, and decisions.

3.       Impulse Control is the ability to delay an initial impulse to do or say something.

All three are important. I bolded Reality Testing because this particular element’s health is critical. You’ve heard the saying that ‘one’s perception is one’s reality.’ What if one’s perceptions wasn’t based on what is actually happening but being hijacked by a mind trap or past experience. When something doesn’t feel right, ask. Ask a trusted colleague or your spouse/partner. Someone who knows you well. Review the situation with them. Ask key questions such as, ‘How might I be wrong here?”; “What else might be happening that I’m not seeing well?”; “How can i look at this from another perspective?”

When something doesn’t feel right, tap into your curiosity. You may just see something that wasn’t available to you before.