Tune up your EQ

New Ways of Being Smart

This legendary actor reflected on his life and shared his feelings and experiences. We learned that emotional intelligence shaped both his childhood and his adult life. Although, he didn’t have academic qualifications, he certainly was blessed with multiple intelligence.

Sidney Poitier and the 7 Laws of Emotional Intelligence

Jenny from Australia looked at the Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? clip in a novel way. She reviewed Sidney Poitier’s behaviour and reviewed it against the first 5 of the 7 Laws of Emotional Intelligence. She felt that each of the Laws were clearly demonstrated in the clip.

Your 7 Laws Questions

Do you agree?

When you think of the series as a whole, do you feel that Sidney Poitier aims to live by Laws 6 and 7?

Here are my 7 Laws of Emotional Intelligence.

Law #1: I am responsible for my own feelings.
Law #2: I am responsible for my own behaviour
Law #3: I always have choices about how I respond to situations, events and people.
Law #4: No-one can make me upset, angry, happy etc.
Law #5: Identifying my choices empowers me to take fresh look at my behaviour.
Law # 6: Recognising my range of choices is an excellent way to start changing my behaviour for the better.
Law# 7: I can practice and learn new and more effective behaviours.

Download Galba Bright’s 7 Laws of emotional Intelligence.

An Encore From A Master Actor

Have a look at this clip from To Sir With Love. Please answer these 3 questions.

1.What emotions does Sidney Poitier display?

2.What emotions do his students show?

3. What would it take for you to live according to the 7 Laws?

Thank you for reading the series. I really hope you enjoyed it and found it useful. Do answer the questions by filling in the comment box, or, if you prefer, send me an email by completing the contact form.

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Every week, I write 3 original articles that help you improve your Emotional Intelligence. If you're new here, feel free to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Powerful EQ Lessons

Emotional Intelligence has been a driving force in Sidney Poitier’s life. Let’s look at the broader lessons that we can draw from video clips and his deeply insightful 2000 book, The Measure of A Man, A Spiritual Autobiography, a masterpiece of self awareness and reflection .

How Are You Smart, Not How Smart Are You

Sidney Poitier completed his formal education at the age of 13. As a young man, he read poorly, yet through
force of will and help from others, he left his unmistakeable imprint on the U.S. movie industry and the wider world.

In the old days, we thought that there was an automatic link between academic qualifications and competence. This great actor’s story shows that people demonstrate their competence in a variety of ways and that formal qualifications only tell us part of the story.

The Many Intelligences of Sidney Poitier

He wasn’t formally educated, but was he gifted? The Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner clip showed him displaying a wide range of emotions. This speaks to his self-management, a key Emotional Intelligence competency.

In part 1 of this series, I asked you to look closely at how he used his body and the intensity of his gaze. Sidney Poitier is blessed with bodily-kinethstetic intelligenceGrowing up in Cat Island in the Caribbean, Sidney Poitier lived in harmony with his natural surroundings. The simple environment fostered his naturalistic intelligence.

Look at Sidney Poitier and see him give you a lesson in why multiple intelligence is such a powerful, practical concept. He is a person of many facets and so are you. You’ll understand yourself better and make the most of your talents when you cease asking yourself:

“how smart am I?”

Instead ask yourself:

“how am I smart?”

I hope you’ve enjoyed this series. In the final article, we’ll look at Sidney Poitier and the 7 Laws of Emotional Intelligence

Download Galba Bright’s 7 Laws of emotional Intelligence.

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I’m really delighted to welcome Dr. Ellen Weber, President of the MITA Brain Based Business Center in Rochester, New York as the first guest blogger on Tune up your EQ. Ellen’s article is part of a conversation that we’ve been sharing about change and creative spaces. The links for my 3 articles as guest blogger for Ellen’s award-winning Brain Based Business Blog are at the foot of Ellen’s post.

Enjoy Ellen’s insights about leadership and positive change.

Thanks Galba for your leadership, your friendship and especially for the keen insights expressed in … 3 Creative Spaces for “Managing” Positive Change. Your moving story of change within the Government of Jamaica - inspires all of us.

What a curiosity building question …

Are you energized by the exciting possibilities that positive change offers?

Yes, I am energized … as Dr. Robyn McMaster and I create space for change here at the MITA Brain Based Centerthrough two-footed questions
Our work with university faculty and top administrators recently drew from their own questions that created space and showed the need for change in higher education – if it is to serve learners.

We create space for change though MITA’s five entry points by spotting and drawing from multiple intelligence brainpower for profitability
Your process of difficulties being replaced by high spirited problem solving says it all!
We target positive changes – and then brainstorm with stake holders and those who will implement these changes. Like you mentioned we also hit walls and make mistakes. Did I just say we make mistakes?

Now that I think of it … that’s likely why we ask ourselves and the leaders with whom we work …

Where do mistakes from yesterday meet your talents today?

The greatest impediment to change that we encounter comes from what we term Hebbian habits. The second great wall to change we see is tone trouble – which becomes a silent killer in a group going after changes.

In all these impediments to change though … we find – as you stated:

…”It’s easier to respect others if you make a habit of managing your self.”

I’d like to add to that …

“It’s easier to change systems when you create new approaches with brain based benefits.”

Here at MITA Brain Based Center … we work daily with people to improve some part of their leadership, learning or business approaches –in ways that create space for mind-bending profitability.

Did I mention this is the most satisfying work in the universe - even after 30 years as a change agent. Now it’s your turn to jump into creative spaces Galba Bright created and tell us about change at your workplace….

Have you considered ways to be part of the process for any rejuvenated visions lately?

Links to Galba Bright’s Leadership For Positive Change Articles For Brain Based Business

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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An Emotional Intelligence Masterclass From A Ground-breaking Actor

Would you take free acting lessons from Sidney Poitier? Have a look at this clip and enjoy a bucketload of free Emotional Intelligence lessons as well

How Socially Aware Are You?

As you watch it, ask yourself this question:

“Which emotions do the actors portray in this clip?”

There’s at least one amazing thing in this clip. Did you experience it? What was it? I’d love it if you’d share your views by posting a comment.

Sidney Poitier Sequel 0n July 10th

I’ll follow up this post with my take on what amazed me on July 10th.

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A Nice Relaxing Read
I was taking a nice gentle stroll through Ellen Weber’s Brain Based Business Blog when I came across an intruiging article about the many faces of Albert Einstein’s intelligence. Although I was taking life easy after a challenging day, I asked Ellen if she had some examples of how the wise man used his multiple intelligences.

Ellen Sparks New Ideas

Ellen replied that this was an interesting notion.

Something strange happened immediately after that…..I ended up asking my own question.

Not once, but twice. A nice gentle unwinding stroll led to me giving myself more hard work.

But it wasn’t hard work at all.

It was a pleasure.

3 Reflective Questions

I’ve reflected on this experience and how it catapulted me to excitement and I’ve chatted about it with some friends. 3 things sparked my curiousity

1)What led me to taking on even more work when that wasn’t what I had in mind originally?

2)Why was it so easy for me to write it?

3)Why did the title EQ, So Easy Even Einstein Can Do It pop into my head so easily when I was out walking?

I find it fascinating.

3 Conclusions.

1)A person who can write about complex matters in a clear manner has a fantastic talent.
2)Anyone who uses the written word to inspire others to take positive action has a great gift.
3)Ellen Weber has these qualities in abundance

Whilst writing this post, I came across a fascinating post that made the connection between Einstein and the qualities required to be a successful blogger. Again, Ellen Weber’s post inspired this writer.

Who Rewires Your Brain?

Which writers/bloggers inspire you to extend yourself and reach for higher heights?

Why not share your recommendations so we can all benefit?

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