The People Currency: Practicing Emotional Intelligence | Jason Bridges | TEDxWabashCollege

Summary

The speaker shares their journey of developing emotional intelligence (EQ) after a life-changing accident at 16. Despite losing some IQ, they cultivated EQ through experiences, such as running a bike tour company and a coffee shop. They highlight the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and social awareness in personal and professional relationships. Using examples like Google's Project Aristotle and small business practices, the speaker emphasizes how connecting with people is key to success. The speech concludes with practical advice, including a 'smile challenge' to foster emotional connections and build stronger relationships.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The speaker loves sci-fi and uses a scene from a movie to highlight the concept of empathy, stating that we don't need technology to connect with others emotionally.
• 🧠 Emotional intelligence (EQ) is key in building relationships in life, work, and community, and it can be developed through awareness and practice.
• 🚑 The speaker shares a personal story about a car accident at age 16, which caused brain damage and led to the discovery of the importance of emotional intelligence.
• 📚 IQ is mostly set by high school, but EQ can be improved throughout life and helps in areas where IQ might fall short.
• 🌱 Emotional intelligence includes self-awareness, emotional regulation, social awareness, empathy, and relationship-building.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker emphasizes how they used emotional intelligence to overcome challenges in business, teaching their employees the value of being 'interested, not interesting' to build connections.
• ☕ In their coffee shop, the speaker uses strategies like using customers’ names to create a more personal connection in a short interaction, boosting both business and emotional connections.
• 💼 Emotional intelligence is used in companies like Google, where psychological safety—built on trust and empathy—was found to be the most important factor for effective teams.
• 😊 The speaker introduces the 'Smile Challenge,' encouraging people to make five strangers smile without speaking, to practice social awareness and emotional intelligence.
• 💡 Strong relationships are more important than material success, and the speaker urges everyone to practice emotional intelligence to enrich their personal and professional lives.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's talk?

The central theme of the speaker's talk is emotional intelligence (EQ), focusing on how it can be developed, applied in daily life, and its importance in personal and professional relationships.

Why does the speaker reference a sci-fi movie at the beginning?

The speaker references a sci-fi movie where a character uses an empathy pill to read people's intentions to draw a parallel with emotional intelligence. The point is that we don't need advanced technology to connect with others on a deeper level; we can develop these skills ourselves.

How did the speaker's accident affect their intellectual abilities?

After the accident, the speaker suffered brain damage, leading to the loss of some IQ and cognitive abilities, making tasks like remembering and thinking more difficult. This experience forced the speaker to rely more on developing emotional intelligence.

What role did emotional intelligence play in the speaker’s recovery?

The speaker began developing emotional intelligence (EQ) as a result of the accident. Since their IQ had declined, they started paying more attention to EQ, which helped them navigate life, relationships, and eventually business challenges.

What is the significance of the book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' for the speaker?

The book was a revelation for the speaker at age 23, offering strategies on how to connect with people and leverage emotional intelligence. It became a guide for the speaker to compensate for their lower IQ by improving their EQ.

How does the speaker apply emotional intelligence in their businesses?

The speaker applies emotional intelligence in their bike tour company and coffee shop by emphasizing customer connections, using names to personalize interactions, and creating an environment where staff can develop EQ skills, such as empathy and social awareness.

What is the 'Smile Challenge' and how does it relate to emotional intelligence?

The 'Smile Challenge' is a practical exercise where one aims to make five strangers smile without saying or doing anything other than smiling at them. It enhances self-awareness, empathy, and social awareness—key components of emotional intelligence.

What lesson does the speaker draw from Google's 'Project Aristotle'?

The speaker draws the lesson that psychological safety, a key factor in Google's best-performing teams, is rooted in high emotional intelligence. Teams with high EQ, where members feel safe, trust each other, and communicate effectively, perform better.

What is the purpose of using customers’ names in the speaker's businesses?

Using customers' names helps build a personal connection, even in brief interactions. It allows for a sense of recognition and rapport, which can improve customer experience and foster emotional connections, a critical element in EQ.

What message does the parable about the person in the hole convey in relation to emotional intelligence?

The parable illustrates that emotional intelligence is about connecting with others in their struggles and offering genuine help. It’s about understanding others' experiences and guiding them through empathy, rather than just offering superficial solutions.