Two Sessions, Many Realisations
Session 1: Looking Within the first session encouraged me to become more aware of my own emotions, thoughts and reactions. One of the biggest things I discovered was that we often react to situations quickly without taking a moment to understand what we are actually feeling.I realised that being emotionally intelligent does not mean avoiding negative emotions. Every emotion has a purpose, and understanding the reason behind an emotion can help us respond to situations more thoughtfully.The session also made me reflect on my triggers. Sometimes, a particular situation or someone’s words can affect us more than we expect. Understanding these triggers can help us pause instead of reacting immediately.One habit I want to develop from this learning is to pause, observe my emotions and then choose my response.One important learning for me was the value of listening patiently. Instead of preparing my response while someone else is speaking, I want to practise giving them my complete attention and allowing them to finish sharing their perspective. This can help create better communication and stronger relationships. Sometimes, people may not need an immediate solution; they may simply want to feel heard and understood.
One of the most interesting concepts I learned in the first session was Amygdala Hijack. I understood that sometimes, when we face a stressful, unexpected, or emotionally triggering situation, our emotions can take over before we have a chance to think logically. In such moments, we may react immediately rather than responding thoughtfully.This concept made me reflect on many situations in my daily life where I may have reacted quickly because of my emotions. I realised that taking a small pause before responding can make a big difference. Instead of allowing my emotions to control my reaction, I can become aware of what I am feeling and choose how I want to respond.For me, the biggest takeaway from Amygdala Hijack was “Pause before you respond.” It reminded me that emotional intelligence is not about never getting angry, frustrated, or upset; it is about learning how to manage those emotions effectively. Another part of the session that I really liked was learning about the characteristics of an ideal leader. It made me think about what kind of leader I would like to become in the future.The qualities that stood out to me the most were empathy, patience, active listening, self-awareness, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations. Among these, I particularly liked active listening and empathy. I believe a good leader should not only give instructions but should also listen to people and understand their perspectives. When people feel heard and understood, they are more comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.I also liked the quality of self-awareness because a leader needs to understand their own emotions, strengths, and areas of improvement. A self-aware leader can recognise when their emotions might be influencing their decisions and can consciously choose a better response.This part of the session made me realise that leadership is not only about guiding others. It is also about working on yourself, understanding people, taking responsibility, and creating a positive environment around you.
What I Took Away:- The first session helped me understand that emotional intelligence plays an important role not only in our personal lives but also in the way we communicate and lead others. Learning about Amygdala Hijack taught me the importance of pausing before reacting, while the qualities of an ideal leader made me reflect on the kind of person and leader I want to become.These learnings encouraged me to become more mindful of my emotions, listen to others more patiently, and respond to situations with greater understanding.
Session 2 The second Emotional Intelligence Life Class was equally insightful and gave me several opportunities to reflect on my behaviour, my strengths, and the way I communicate with others. The activities and discussions helped me understand that emotional intelligence is not only about knowing our emotions but also about understanding our behaviour and being open to learning from others.The Marshmallow Experiment…. One of the activities that caught my attention was the Marshmallow Experiment. It made me think about patience, delayed gratification, and the choices we make when we have an immediate reward in front of us.The activity reminded me that sometimes, we need to be patient and think about the bigger picture instead of choosing what feels good or easy at the moment. It made me realise that patience and self-control are important qualities, both personally and professionally. Constructive Feedback… Another important learning for me was constructive feedback. I realised that feedback is not always criticism. When given with the right intention, it can help us recognise our strengths and understand where we can improve.I especially liked the idea of giving feedback in a way that focuses on the behaviour or situation rather than judging the person. It made me understand that the purpose of constructive feedback should be to support growth, not to make someone feel bad. Overall, the second session encouraged me to become more open to learning, more patient with myself and others, and more willing to reflect on my actions. It reminded me that emotional intelligence is a continuous journey of knowing myself, understanding others, and becoming a better version of myself every day.