Tune up your EQ

Ray Hobby from England replied to my What’s Your Emotional Intelligence Story? article with one of his own. He notes that his story is adapted from a story that has also been published at Shritam Suleka’s Blog.Ray’s version is distinctive because he tellsand interprets it through the “lens” of Emotional Intelligence.

Ray advises:

Applied Emotional Intelligence appears in mysterious ways….

This is how he tells us the Story Of The Wise Old Gentleman.

A Wise Old Gentleman retired in the summer and purchased a modest home near a school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace and contentment.

Then a new school term began. The very next afternoon three boys, full of vibrant, youthful, after-school enthusiasm, came down his street, beating merrily on every dustbin they encountered. The crashing percussion continued day after day …until finally the wise old man decided it was time to take some action.

The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young percussionists as they banged their way down the street. Stopping them he said,

“You kids are a lot of fun. I like to see you express your energy like that. In fact, I used to do the same thing when I was your age, but will you do me a favour ? I’ll give you each a [pound/dollar] if you’ll promise to come round every day and do your thing.”

The kids were elated and continued to do a noisy job on the bins.

After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this time he had a sad smile on his face.

“My expenses are really putting a big dent in my income,”

he told them. “

From now on I’ll only be able to pay you [50p/25cents] to beat on the bins.

The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they accepted his offer and continued their afternoon fun.

A few days later, the wily man approached them again as they drummed their way down the street.

“Look,” he said, I haven’t received my pension cheque yet, so I’m not going to be able to give you more than [20p/10cents] Will that be okay ?”

“What, just [20p/10cents] ?”

the drum leader exclaimed.

“If you think we’re going to waste our time, beating these bins around for just [20p/10cents], you’re stupid ! No way, mister, …We quit !

…and the wise old man enjoyed peace and serenity for the rest of his days.

Now, that is …applied Emotional Intelligence !

Thanks Ray.

If you post a comment that I feel deserves the front page treatment because we can all learn from it, I’ll contact you, ask for your permission, drop in a photo and an intro and publish it as an article. So what’s your Emotional Intelligence Story?

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