4 Key Habits for Resiliency

Posted on April 28, 2022April 5, 2022 by Jan Hovrud

4 Key Habits for Resiliency

Habit #1 — Debrief Daily. Before going to bed, think about the ups and downs of your day. This will help you realize your stressors and things that uplifted you. Identifying the triggers will prepare you to deal with them in the future.

Habit #2 — Be Good to Yourself. Discover things that renew and encourage you. Enjoy at least one of them daily (e.g. your pet, exercise routine or spending time with someone special in your life, etc.)

Habit #3 — Live in the Moment. Stop yourself from constantly worrying about the future and pay attention to what is going on right now in your life. Focus on good things happening in the moment.

Habit #4 — Give Thanks. Write down things, people and situations that you are happy about in your life. Do it every day. This activity helps to keep life in perspective.

Resource: Bounce: Living the Resilient Life, by Robert Wicks, PsyD

Listening-What Does it Buy You? How Can You Increase Your Skill Level?

Posted on February 17, 2022February 17, 2022 by Jan Hovrud

Listening – What Does it Buy You?
How Can You Increase Your Skill Level?

Listening is a fundamental communication skill, yet most people don’t understand its significance or know how to improve it.

Yes, everyone knows about active listening, not interrupting and selective listening. But, there is much more to be gained from good listening. And, much more to be learned about how to do it well.

Leaders “hear” a huge amount of information every day. In Listening-The Forgotten Skill, by Madelyn Burley-Allen, the author identifies why listening is so significant to leadership.

Continue reading “Listening-What Does it Buy You? How Can You Increase Your Skill Level?” →

Emotional Intelligence and Customer Service

Posted on February 10, 2022February 16, 2022 by Jan Hovrud

Emotional Intelligence and Customer Service

Satisfied customers are essential to an organization’s success.

As you know, delivering excellent customer service can set you apart from your competitors. Recent studies show that increasing emotional intelligence within service organizations brings tremendous value.

Connecting with customers on an emotionally intelligent level sets the foundation for lasting relationships, builds customer loyalty and creates profitability.

In a study, completed by Sally Kernback and Nicolar Schutte (Journal of Services Marketing), the authors assessed three levels of emotional intelligence in front line sales associates.

Continue reading “Emotional Intelligence and Customer Service” →

Emotional Intelligence and Negotiation

Posted on December 23, 2021January 5, 2022 by Jan Hovrud

Emotional Intelligence and Negotiation

Talented leaders recognize that skillful negotiation not only brings the best outcome, but also helps build lasting relationships in the organization.

Collaborative negotiation can be powerful in driving fresh approaches, moving through change in positive ways and finding creative solutions.

Using your emotional intelligence is an important factor in exercising a collaborative negotiation style. Every stage of the negotiation process requires the artistry of effectively demonstrating strength in emotional intelligence.

Continue reading “Emotional Intelligence and Negotiation” →

Survive and Thrive with EQ Flexibility

Posted on December 2, 2021November 30, 2021 by Jan Hovrud

Survive and Thrive with EQ Flexibility

A few years ago on vacation in Mexico, my husband and I visited a water park. There we experienced a float bridge of sorts.

While crossing the water, the bridge ebbed and flowed with our every movement. The more resistance that we showed the more the bridge seemed to want to dump us into the water.

It was clear, we learned with experience, that we needed to “go with the flow” in order to safely get across. Be flexible and we would make it.

Flexibility, as defined by Reuven Bar-On, author of the EQ-instrument, is the “ability to adjust one’s feelings, thoughts and behavior to changing situations and conditions.”

Continue reading “Survive and Thrive with EQ Flexibility” →

Stress, Workplace Success and Emotional Intelligence

Posted on November 25, 2021November 23, 2021 by Jan Hovrud

Stress, Workplace Success and Emotional Intelligence

Leaders who demonstrate strong emotional intelligence are able to better build relationships, drive teams to improve performance, adapt to change and deal with difficult job demands.

In a national study of over 1000 working Americans aged 18 and over done by Legar Marketing and Multi-Health Systems, stress was found to have a detrimental effect on emotional intelligence.

Continue reading “Stress, Workplace Success and Emotional Intelligence” →

Reality Testing – Developing Your Mental Picture

Posted on September 30, 2021September 28, 2021 by Jan Hovrud

Reality Testing – Developing Your Mental Picture

The first time you put in those new prescription contact lenses or donned glasses, the world was a much clearer, brighter place. The truth is that we get used to seeing things in a certain way and perhaps don’t notice that things could be seen in a better perspective.

Reality Testing, one of the fifteen competencies on the EQ-I (Emotional Quotient Instrument), defines our ability to accurately size up situations. It is the capability to see things objectively—the way they are, rather than the way we wish or fear them to be. The emphasis is on pragmatism, objectivity, being well grounded and realistic.

Continue reading “Reality Testing – Developing Your Mental Picture” →

Thinking on Your Feet

Posted on September 9, 2021August 12, 2021 by Jan Hovrud

Thinking on Your Feet

Conducting a successful Q&A session can make or break your presentation. The Q&A is an opportunity to find out what the audience members are thinking, share expertise and build rapport.

Done professionally the Q&A can leave a lasting impression on your subordinates, peers and leaders.

Maintaining your composure is key to keeping the audience with you.

Continue reading “Thinking on Your Feet” →

Creating Your Legacy – Self-Actualization

Posted on September 2, 2021August 12, 2021 by Jan Hovrud

Creating Your Legacy – Self-Actualization

Knowing who we are and understanding what we contribute can lead to a meaningful, rich and full life.

Self-Actualization, one of the fifteen competencies of emotional intelligence, is the ability to realize one’s potential capabilities. It is that deep inner calling that motivates us to have an enthusiastic commitment to long-term goals.

We realize self-actualization by maximizing our development and continuing to strive toward our dreams-one day at a time.

Continue reading “Creating Your Legacy – Self-Actualization” →