Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Physicians Who Complete Emotional Intelligence Are Pleased With Results

Physicians nationwide who have completed six months of Executive Coaching for Emotional Intelligence/Anger Management report that the experience is positive and they are comfortable in referring other colleagues. Physician Well-Being Committees are equally pleased with the results.

It appears that the four emotional intelligence skills that are rated as the most helpful and the ones most critical for success in emotional intelligence coaching are:

  1. Interpersonal Assertion which is a personal communication skill indicated by the direct,honest, and appropriate expression of thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
  2. Interpersonal Awareness which is a personal skill in the ability to recognize and judge appropriate social and physical distance in verbal and non-verbal interactions with others.
  3. Empathy is a personal skill in the ability to accurately understand and accept another person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  4. Stress Management is personal skill in the ability to positively manage stress and anxiety in a wide range or areas.

In contrast to counseling or psychotherapy, emotional intelligence is practice based. The goal in emotional intelligence coaching for physicians is teach specific skills in self-awareness, self-control, social awareness, and relationship management.

In order to know which skills are needed, it is absolutely necessary for all coaching to begin with an assessment prior to coaching to determine the client’s skill level in a wide range of emotional intelligence skills. Following the assessment, skill enhancement exercises are practiced in real life situations until they are mastered to the satisfaction of the participant.

Post Tests are given at three months and six months to determine the success or lack of success on the intervention.