431 - Emotional Intelligence of the Surgical Technologist

Mastering self-management is similar to driving a car. If one steps on the accelerator and lets the steering wheel go on its own, the car will end up crashing at some point. Taking con- trol of one’s emotional steering wheel will give the individu- al the power to accelerate or decelerate his or her emotions according to the direction he or she desires to take. This action impacts an individual’s words and actions to achieve a more beneficial outcome and provides them with a healthy motivation that supports the surgical team and its patients. Social Awareness. This domain is built primarily on care and understanding for others. Individuals that score high in social awareness display the ability to decode nonverbal prompts for harmful reactions, motives, anger, fear, and the ability to judge if other people are dependable or not. In turn, individuals will be able to control their thoughts, pause before verbalizing one’s own ideas, and respond, praise and recognize other people’s worth and more. Refining social skills is work for everyone. These skills go above and beyond being a people pleaser, being a great hostess or the life of the party. It entails a legitimate attitude to listening and paying close attention to other people’s emo- tions, needs and concerns, being mindful about the way an individual interacts with others and taking control of one’s words before answering. Relationship Management or Social Skills. This ability is founded and braced on the other domains of EI, predomi- nantly on self-management and social awareness. The inabil- ity to control anger and impulses and the lack of empathy deters the effectiveness in developing or maintaining rela- tionships. In fact, building and preserving healthy relation- ships is nothing more than the direct results of mastering awareness in all the above-mentioned domains. This ability empowers an individual with the essential tools to success- fully monitor relationships, while self-awareness and self- monitoring helps to identify one’s relationships needs. B E N E F I T S O F M A S T E R I N G E M O T I O N A L I N T E L L I G E N C E Research has conceded that high levels of EI enables improved communication skills, reduces anxiety and stress, aids in resolving quandaries, enhances relationships, allows individuals to understand others, promotes emotional well- being, and effectively contributes to overcome life’s challeng- es. Moreover, EI directly impacts a surgical technologist’s F I G . # 1 : A F R A M E W O R K O F E M O T I O N A L C O M P E T E N C E S Table extracted from Goleman D, (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence S E L F Personal Competence O T H E R Social Competence S E L F - A W A R E N E S S • Emotional self-awareness • Accurate self-assessment • Self-confidence S E L F - M A N A G E M E N T • Self-control • Trustworthiness • Conscientiousness • Adaptability • Achievement drive • Initiative S O C I A L A W A R E N E S S • Empathy • Service orientation • Organizational awareness R E L A T I O N S H I P M A N A G E M E N T • Developing others • Influence • Communication • Conflict management • Leadership • Change catalyst • Building bonds • Teamwork & collaboration R E C O G N I T I O N R E G U L A T I O N | The Surgical Technologist | NOVEMBER 2019 522