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EI: Emotional Intelligence Level 7 - Emotional Self-Control

Definition

The skill of effectively controlling any strong emotions experienced.

Advantages of having skills in this area.
There are many advantages in being able to manage strong emotions. I will just list a few of them here and hope you will add you own.

You can stay calm in an angry world.
You are able to maintain self-respect.
You will be better able to concentrate and stay focused.
Your emotional well-being may be enhanced.
You will be better able to think clearly in stressful situations.
You may be better at dealing effectively with the difficult situations that cause your strong emotions.
You will maintain trust more easily by having greater consistency in behaviour.

Problems that may arise if you don't.
There are many problems that may arise if you have limited skills in managing your strong emotions. I will list a few of them here and encourage you to add your own examples and ideas.

You may lose the respect of friends, family and colleagues.
You may limit your career because you hijack meetings, are unable to build productive relationships with customers, clients, employees, or stakeholders, or are unable to speak in front of a group.
You may say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time. For example, a friend I was talking to told me he was furious one day at the way he and his colleagues were being treated by their executive team. He burst out in a loud voice and said to the deputy CEO, "You are a f...... managerial moron". "Unfortunately," my friend continued, "the CEO and all his subordinates were in the room at the same time and the deputy CEO took the opportunity for revenge in my performance review".
You limit your career opportunities.
You may alienate people.
You may fail in executing your responsibilities if the strong emotion is something like high level anxiety.
You may feel like you are losing the plot or going crazy.

You may obsess about things and get caught up in addictive behaviours, such as sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, and the like.
You are more likely to be aggressive and hurt other people and yourself.

Which strong emotions do you experience? How well do you manage these strong emotions?

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Updated 15-May-2011