A641.4.3.RB - Tipping Points of Emotional Intelligence

 In your reflection blog, share instances where you have experienced a tipping point at work. When you experienced the tipping point, describe how positive or negative emotional attractors played a role in it. What was the situation? What did you do? What was the result? What would you do differently?

            I can't tell you how many times I've either personally been tipped over a certain threshold, or witnessed someone who has completely lost their cool because they were pushed over the edge. Most emotionally aware individuals know when they are reaching their breaking point and display indicators for which they are no longer posses the capacity to reason thoughts or conversations. If the party keeps pressuring the situation, these self-aware individuals usually just remove themselves from the situation before it escalates to a point of no return. I know for myself that still to this day I have a hard time backing away from a heated individual who thinks they can bully their way through to the end.   

            There's a problem with this blog reflection because the reference of a "tipping point" differs from Tipping Point Analysis that Dr. Boyatzis explains in his article. In the article, the tipping point is determined after applying a regulated amount of Emotional Intelligence EI. This is all concluded after the fact when being evaluated by an external metric for how many instances of EI were applied. The data reveals that at X point of EI, performance through whatever evaluated Y variable showed exponential growth is the "tipping point." So you'd never know when you've "experienced" a tipping point until the data is revealed to you at a later time. Now the second article just references the fact that a study will be conducted in order to find connections between Positive and Negative Emotional Attractors by evaluating emotional response (feeling), activation of the endocrine system (body), and the brain network (cognitive). It doesn't really delve into a thorough explanation of the results of the study or the connections that are trying to be correlated.

            I did find another reference to what I think is a similar article and it explains that both positive and negative attractors are necessary in order to move from one state of acceptance towards achieving actual change. After reading many definitions and explanations of both PEA and NEA, I would conclude that PEA are proactive (offensive) actions towards attaining desired states, and NEA are reactionary (defensive) actions when realizing the negative connotations towards a given situation. Without having respect for negative outcomes then a vision will never posses a baseline understanding that is anything but positive. This removes the necessity to protect oneself when dealing with adversity because resilience has never been established nor needed. I know for me personally that NEA usually creates defense mechanisms that help me rationalize my responses to a given situation. This natural reaction defends our ego in order to save face internally and externally. Now this really does nothing for creating credibility, because it usually results in immature responses and awkward situations. Most who possess a heightened sense of EI will own a given situation and divulge any shortcoming in order to bypass the awkward and get focusing on the central issue.  

References

Boyatzis, R. E., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant leadership: Renewing yourself and connecting with others through mindfulness, hope, and compassion. Harvard Business Press.

McKee, A., Boyatzis, R. E., Johnston, F., & Johnston, F. (2008). Becoming a resonant leader: Develop your emotional intelligence, renew your relationships, sustain your effectiveness. Cambridge: Harvard Business Press.

Psychology; studies from Babson college provide new data on psychology (the role of the positive emotional attractor in vision and shared vision: Toward effective leadership, relationships, and engagement). (2015, Jul 04). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/1691049102?accountid=27203