Get Out Of Your Own Way Ch: 7

What does Dr. Laurence J. Peter say is in the eye of the beholder?

People with high emotional intelligence are often technically incompetent.

Why do overachievers often become emotionally deaf?

Emotional intelligence is only important in personal relationships.

What do people who are good at their jobs but lack emotional intelligence often suffer from?

What is the main idea behind the 10 misconceptions about others?

It's better to be a nice guy than a reformed jerk.

What is the potential outcome of understanding and addressing others' misconceptions about you?

The text recommends becoming defensive when others share their perceptions about you.

What is the ultimate goal of understanding and addressing others' misconceptions about you?

What is one of the characteristics of people who are highly competent in technical areas?

Leonard, the senior manager, was known for his good interpersonal skills.

Why did Leonard's boss procrastinate in conducting Leonard's annual review?

Leonard was promoted to executive vice president.

Leonard was a poor project manager.

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Competence in a technical or procedural sense does not necessarily translate to emotional intelligence (EI), the ability to understand unspoken wants, needs, and fears in oneself and others.
People with high technical competence may lack charm, struggle with people skills, and become resentful of others' success.
Those who excel in school, often due to parental pressure, may develop stunted emotional intelligence, focusing on outward signs of success rather than emotional connections with others.

The Consequences of Emotional Deafness

Without EI, interactions can be affected, and resentment can build, leading to self-sabotage.
Overachievers may become overly focused on proving their own competence, ignoring subtle signals from others and struggling to respect others' opinions.
Resentment against them can grow, and self-sabotage can follow.

Case Study: Leonard

Leonard, a senior manager, was a brilliant project manager with poor interpersonal skills, avoiding socializing with colleagues and being miserly with praise.
His treatment of colleagues led to complaints, and his review was delayed due to his poor interpersonal skills.
Leonard's self-worth was tied to his sense of competence, leading to self-sabotage when his promotion was denied.

Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage

Recognizing shyness and taking steps to overcome it can help individuals develop emotional intelligence.
Tuning in to others and becoming mindful of misconceptions can improve interpersonal relationships.
Identifying and addressing misconceptions about oneself and others can lead to greater success.

Action Steps

Review charts highlighting misconceptions about oneself and others.
Approach individuals with misconceptions and ask for feedback.
Respond to feedback without becoming defensive and make changes to improve relationships.
Reformed behavior can lead to increased effort and support from others, contributing to success.

This quiz focuses on the significance of having charm and people skills in the workplace, even for individuals who are technically competent in their jobs. It highlights the importance of being good with people in addition to having technical skills.