To be intelligent about emotions, do it the Michael Brearley way

Sometimes, ‘no education’ isn’t the problem, but ‘wrong education’ is. And it is the unlearning of that which becomes imperative in order to achieve equilibrium. Heavy words, but true. For starters there’s ‘Speak before you think’! “We need paradigm shifts to change perceptions that can further help us acquire emotional intelligence,” UK-based Michael Brearley points out his purpose of visiting India. Invited by the Achievers Programme, Michael will be conducting workshops based on Project Thrive on his maiden trip to the country. First things first, he sets our concepts right, “EQ is the measurement of emotional intelligence, emotional literacy is the ability to be aware of and express our emotional state and emotional intelligence is to understand our emotional state and be a leader of it.” As I try and match my writing speed to how much this man has to say, I realize I cannot compete. While I pause to let it sink in, he goes on, “students need to be taught to take responsibility of their feelings,” for growth happens only in an environment that allows young people to thrive. An ideal setting is one where students feel safe to fail, learn ask, explore. “But begin by getting senior leaders in school to change their sense of leadership,” shares this former principal. Emotional intelligence is all about how you are with everyone. Michael’s life experiences taught him how to build a favourable set-up for young minds to thrive. He has developed and run workshops on emotional intelligence in leadership and learning and is currently working on long-term projects with a number of schools developing accredited programmes on the same. The need of student is the basic of every being, “to be listened to. Many teachers, principals et al have to learn to let go and infuse a sense of autonomy and status.” The workshop will be held at The British School, Sector 6, Panchkula on January 24 from 11 am to 1 pm.