EI is important for leadership in general. Even if a leader/manager possesses all the desired traits, behaviors and skills, they can still fall short on EI. We have all seen people lose their cool in situations. Being able to control one's moods and impulses while having empathy for others transcends classical leadership capabilities. In many ways the PM is hampered by balancing EI with the needs of the project, like finishing on time and on budget; certainly a more immediate concern. EI evolves over time. It matures in much the same way as we mature from childhood to adulthood. It's not something we can learn and then graduate with a maturity certificate.
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1 reply by Liming Wu
Sep 02, 2017 8:04 PM
Liming Wu
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Thanks Sante for the reply. I agree most of your comment, except one point that EI can't be learned. I do think EI can be learned as other subjects. That's why our EI level can evolve and mature over time.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
It does not matter. No more than any other theory that could help you to understand the human behavior. My recommendation is going to the basement. Understand that reality is a matter of perception and your stakeholders lives the perceived reality. They think the project will solve a problem. But problem is the gap between the perceived reality and the desire reality. So, to manage project stakeholders you can work on perception, on desire or in the gap. And do not forget you are an stakeholder too.
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1 reply by Liming Wu
Sep 02, 2017 8:09 PM
Liming Wu
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Thanks Sergio, your viewpoint is very unique and interesting.
Neuroscience tells us, that we as human being perceive only approx. 5% of the reality, as our brain filters the incoming information based on our “internal focus” what we perceive as important. In order to improve our “intelligence to detect more” we need try to adjust our focus/ our perception on other people (project team member) in a positive way asking ourselves:
What do I perceive as very positive/ friendly on another person?
What is a specific strength of that person?
What are the strong skills of that person?
Whenever you understand that your brain tells you an internal “snapshot” of another person’s image that you can view also from another perspective, this can result in a more positive effect on your perception towards others and the related communication.
In a nutshell, constant questioning of your own cognition. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
The problem with emotional quotient is that it is not easily quantifiable. How will you know when it is improving?
Having said that, EQ is mostly about relationships management. How do you improve? By doing it. We all learn by doing it. Saving Changes...
EI is important for leadership in general. Even if a leader/manager possesses all the desired traits, behaviors and skills, they can still fall short on EI. We have all seen people lose their cool in situations. Being able to control one's moods and impulses while having empathy for others transcends classical leadership capabilities. In many ways the PM is hampered by balancing EI with the needs of the project, like finishing on time and on budget; certainly a more immediate concern. EI evolves over time. It matures in much the same way as we mature from childhood to adulthood. It's not something we can learn and then graduate with a maturity certificate.
Thanks Sante for the reply. I agree most of your comment, except one point that EI can't be learned. I do think EI can be learned as other subjects. That's why our EI level can evolve and mature over time.
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Sep 03, 2017 1:24 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Hi, my comments about EI not being able to be learned is more about the time limitation, which is why I said it can't be learned like a class or subject and then someone graduate's with an acceptable EI. If we have a class for example and teach all the research theory about EI to a leader, they may know it in their head, but still not be mature enough to adopt it in any way, still continue with mood swings, outbursts, no empathy for others etc. So technically did they learn EI? Yes. Did they become EI? No. That's why I say it can only evolve over time and can't be learned/achieved in a finite time like a class or program. Naturally there are components we can learn along the way. But these are ore theoretical than practical. If "learned" means can they learn some things along the way, then I agree with you. If "learned" means can they learn EI in some finite time by being taught "as other subjects" and then just achieve EI at the end of that, I have to disagree.
It does not matter. No more than any other theory that could help you to understand the human behavior. My recommendation is going to the basement. Understand that reality is a matter of perception and your stakeholders lives the perceived reality. They think the project will solve a problem. But problem is the gap between the perceived reality and the desire reality. So, to manage project stakeholders you can work on perception, on desire or in the gap. And do not forget you are an stakeholder too.
Thanks Sergio, your viewpoint is very unique and interesting. Saving Changes...
Thanks Sante for the reply. I agree most of your comment, except one point that EI can't be learned. I do think EI can be learned as other subjects. That's why our EI level can evolve and mature over time.
Hi, my comments about EI not being able to be learned is more about the time limitation, which is why I said it can't be learned like a class or subject and then someone graduate's with an acceptable EI. If we have a class for example and teach all the research theory about EI to a leader, they may know it in their head, but still not be mature enough to adopt it in any way, still continue with mood swings, outbursts, no empathy for others etc. So technically did they learn EI? Yes. Did they become EI? No. That's why I say it can only evolve over time and can't be learned/achieved in a finite time like a class or program. Naturally there are components we can learn along the way. But these are ore theoretical than practical. If "learned" means can they learn some things along the way, then I agree with you. If "learned" means can they learn EI in some finite time by being taught "as other subjects" and then just achieve EI at the end of that, I have to disagree. Saving Changes...
Thanks Sante. I agree with you. However this discussion subject is mainly about how a project manager can improve his/her EI level so that he/she can better manage project management? Do you have any good advices on that? From a project management perspective, it's more like in the area of stakeholder management. And I think EI and stakeholder management are closely related. But it seems PMBOK framework doesn't mention how a project manager improve his/her EI. Does it mean EI is something each PM needs to solve on his/her own? Is there any good practices?
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Sep 03, 2017 4:10 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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I think it's a combination of time and hanging around or observing mentors that display EI in their roles. PMI could have more on leadership competencies which includes EI, but that may start to get away from the core purpose of the PMBOK. To improve PM leadership skills you could enroll in one of many leadership programs that will invariably include topics on EI.
Thanks Sante. I agree with you. However this discussion subject is mainly about how a project manager can improve his/her EI level so that he/she can better manage project management? Do you have any good advices on that? From a project management perspective, it's more like in the area of stakeholder management. And I think EI and stakeholder management are closely related. But it seems PMBOK framework doesn't mention how a project manager improve his/her EI. Does it mean EI is something each PM needs to solve on his/her own? Is there any good practices?
I think it's a combination of time and hanging around or observing mentors that display EI in their roles. PMI could have more on leadership competencies which includes EI, but that may start to get away from the core purpose of the PMBOK. To improve PM leadership skills you could enroll in one of many leadership programs that will invariably include topics on EI. Saving Changes...
Todd ReicheltVP Development and Product Management| Rabo AgriFinanceO Fallon, Il, United States
EI is not something you'll learn in a class room. You can go to class and learn what it is, but the characteristics are learned through doing. Being able to control and express your emotions is a key attribute of EI. This is developed by being placed in situations that cause you to use that characteristic. In addition, EI is about handling interpersonal relationships. This is a key aspect of a PM's role. You get better at it over time as you deal with the challenges presented by dealing with people. Saving Changes...
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
