When I joined my son for a creative workshop at our local Apple Store, I was surprised at how much the kids could do after just 45 minutes. Later I wondered why we take so little applicable away from corporate Emotional Intelligence training.
I understand we are not children anymore, so adult training is designed differently. However, there are things that we can learn from the approach of that workshop, especially when it comes to learning practical skills, which includes my expertise in Emotional Intelligence.
At the Apple Store, everything the children were taught was for immediate impact – relevant things they could enjoy and apply later in a different context. The teaching of theoretical knowledge was reduced to the absolute minimum required to complete the project. The host kept the children engaged by teaching some theory, followed by a practical application, followed by some theory and so on. The children always knew just enough to do the project’s next step. Ultimately, they took home a small animated graphic and many ideas on applying the learned steps to something else.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Emotional Intelligence training, people learn many theories about emotions, the mind and the function of the brain. In addition, the sessions are often packed with slides showing research statistics and models. Consequently, I often hear that the training could have been more practical.
I fear many trainers are unaware that their training does not meet the needs of the learners because of the excellent reviews they receive. They overlook that the reviews and feedback were given when people were pumped with excitement about the new knowledge. As a result, learners are often unaware that they are overwhelmed by the new information and only realise later that they cannot apply that knowledge efficiently.
Training sessions that overwhelm the mind deprive the learners of what they desire most: learning how to apply the knowledge to their specific circumstances to improve their Emotional Intelligence. And I am sure this is what all trainers want to provide. So, how can we make emotional intelligence training more impactful in less time?
How I make emotional intelligence training impactful
For me, it started with the realisation that science is great, but the application of science is greater.
Like children, most adult learners want easy-to-learn small practical steps they can use in their personal life immediately. Therefore, instead of discussing the importance of Emotional Intelligence and its research, I provide theoretical knowledge about emotional intelligence in small doses to facilitate an impactful learning journey. My mantra is “as little as possible and as much as required to enable a lasting shift and further learning.” I trust that the process of learning will improve people’s emotional intelligence, not the amount of knowledge.
For example, when I teach about the emotion of shock, I let people see it in the context of an emotional life cycle before sharing some basics about the neuroscience behind it. And before I speak about the emotional life cycle, I immerse people in an emotional scenario so they experience that cycle. By adding understanding only after being immersed in a scenario, I let people experience the “why” before discussing it. I open their mind and create a desire to learn.
People are more likely and willing to learn when they see the practical relevance of the content to their lives.
Therefore, only after people have a basic overview of the overall process of handling emotions do I teach them how to use it purposefully in greater detail. At any stage of the learning journey, I ensure people are ready to learn. I refrain from brain-dumping my knowledge to prevent overwhelming my learners. I teach only what is necessary. The eager learners I signpost to further learning. To keep everyone engaged at all times, the sessions are a finely tuned combination of elements of lectures, workshops and team coaching.
The results speak for themselves. When I follow up with learners months after our 8-hour course, they often tell me of the profound and transformational impact on their professional and personal lives. Others I witness turning their lives around.
Through Eyes Up Training Limited, I desire to provide profound and transformative training without it being complicated or complex. If I can’t explain a concept to my child, I rather review the training content.
