The EQ Way

Book excerpt: The EQ Way is a reflection tool for leaders navigating difficult times—and difficult emotions—in their schools. In education, challenges surround you every day, but they don't have to define you. When the negative, frightful, or unknown happens—when you're confused because you aren't sure where things are headed—that's when you want to focus on EQ, or emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Educational psychologist and school leader Ignacio Lopez explores how you can lead from a place of calm clarity and strength. Lopez relies on his own experience to guide you through enacting EQ strategies in your school or district, no matter what kinds of challenges you face. You can learn to control your reactions and keep emotional intelligence central to your work by * Recognizing and improving your own emotional intelligence. * Continually assessing the clarity of your vision and communication. * Enforcing accountability across the school community. * Refining, communicating, and monitoring school values. * Deliberately engaging with external stakeholders. * Finding ways to work with and stand up to naysayers and resisters. * Sustaining the emotional intelligence of the school community. The key to successfully navigating your school through difficult times and managing high-conflict situations is being an emotionally intelligent leader.The EQ Way helps you be that leader.