Assuming that Emotional Intelligence is directly linked to leadership, there are three questions that need to be answered:• What is Emotional Intelligence?• Why is it important?• How can Emotional Intelligence Quotient be increased? We looked at the answer to the first question in my previous article titled, What Is Emotional Intelligence? Let us now look at the answer to the second question.…
Read MoreCategory: Soft Skills
Leaders – How Clean is Your Window?
It was raining very heavily and the little restaurant where I was having dinner was very crowded. All the tables were occupied and some hungry customers were waiting for their turn. Some children were crying as they had to wait and the harassed waiters were hurrying to serve the diners. Amidst all this confusion there…
Read MoreLeading from the Back – Kalaam’s Leadership Experience
“The idea is that leadership at its most fundamental is about moving people in a certain direction—usually through changing the direction of their thinking and their actions. And the way to do that is not necessarily by charging out front and saying, “Follow me,” but by empowering or pushing others to move forward ahead of…
Read MoreThe ‘Y’ in HAPPYNESS
In the movie ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ one of the characters wrote the word ‘Happiness’ on the wall but spelt it as ‘Happyness’. When questioned about using Y instead of I, he said that there should be no ‘I’ in Happyness there only should a ‘Y’. It took me a while to get the deeper meaning…
Read MoreRoger Federer Does It Again
On 5th July, 2009 Roger Federer recreated magic by the epic win of his sixth Wimbledon Crown and a record 15th Grand Slam Trophy. The 27 year old Swiss is now honoured with the title of being the most successful man in tennis. Federer had been in the news earlier because of the fact that…
Read MoreThe Art Of Listening
Here is a witty story on an important aspect of communication – effective listening. In a small town, a police officer curbed a speeding motorist. After pulling over to the side, the man began, “Officer, I can explain…” “Quiet!” replied the police officer hastily, “I’m taking you in for speeding within residential limits”. The man protested, “But officer,…
Read MoreBusiness Communication: The Reader’s Perspective
Here is a story that will highlight the importance of clarity in written communication: A blind boy once sat at the side of a busy pavement with a hat placed in front of him. He had a hand-written sign that said: “I am blind. Please help.” Passers-by hardly took notice of the boy and there were…
Read MoreBusiness Communication: Effective Questioning
Here is a well-known anecdote that reinstates the importance of effective questioning in verbal communication: Two young men were walking home after having attended a religious service by a renowned priest. One man said to the other, “I wonder whether it would be alright to smoke while praying.” The other replied, “Why don’t you ask the priest?” The…
Read MoreBusiness Communication – Understanding Boundaries
We learn many valuable morals from the famous Aesop’s fables. I shall share my thoughts with respect to business communication with regards to the following fable today: A crab and her child were walking down the beach one day. While doing so, the crab irately watched while the child strolled in a one-sided manner. She said, “Why…
Read MoreBusiness Writing From Abe Lincoln’s Perspective
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most loved Presidents of the USA. He is an admired leader of the world for he always thought before he spoke. The incident given below highlights his thoughts on writing and the learning can be extended to helping you to improve business writing skills. One day Lincoln’s Secretary of the…
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