The COVID/Screen-Addicted Gen Which Never Got Introduced to Dan Goleman's Fundamentals on Emotional Intelligence

" ... how to talk to people in person, how to speak up in meetings, and when to make eye contact." - Yahoo Finance, June 2023 

That's what a growing number of employers are teaching new entries of the workforce. In just the audit/consulting niche they include PwC, Deloitte and KPMG. The causes for the deficit range from the isolation of COVID to the addiction to screens. Actually, even some seasoned players had gotten rusty. More and more of my coaching clients have to be briefed on realities such as the professional with the most power in the group determines the rules of interaction. One client didn't understand why she was expected to stop focusing on the task when the manager swung by the office for small talk.

It was way back in 1995 that psychologist Dan Goleman explained the importance of Emotional Intelligence (that used to be known as soft skills) and began detailing its dynamics. 

Essentially Goleman decoded what we college graduates had already noticed: The "C" students become the bosses of the "A" students. Usually that results from the "Cs" developing experience in socially-oriented contexts while the "As" had been isolated in their small worlds booking it. The "C" know-how includes how to showcase achievements and potential smoothly. The "A" tends to be ham-handed." Never one for academics, Stevel Jobs transformed tech marketing. 

Of course, there are exceptions. Law firm Paul Weiss chairperson Bard Karp's signature is Charm & Calm. But he had the grades to be admitted to both Harvard and Yale law schools. He continued with that academic success enough to land a coveted clerkship and to start his career at Paul Weiss. 

Since 2020 I have been analyzing how Karp handles situations which involve sizing up the social dimensions and then putting together an effective response. Those snippets I pass on to clients. When in a pickle myself I ask: What would Karp do. 

To reverse the lack of socialization pattern colleges should demand applicants discuss how they are addressing that in their personal essay. 

Back my boomer days, the mandate was for an example how we demonstrated character. It was the time of Eisenhower conformity. The rules were clear. They were about values. Therefore we felt safe in social situations. In the current polarization, it's scary to be out there with others.

2023. It’s the year of AI, along with uncertainty, inflation, war and more. Jane Genova provides you with a complimentary check-in for your organization’s communications and your own career. It’s free. Content-creation and coaching provided on a sliding-scale fee basis. (for appointments text 203-468-8570 or janegenova374@gmail.com)