Five tools of emotional intelligence:
According to Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and author of The Language of Emotional Intelligence, there are a number of ways to communicate in an emotionally intelligent manner. She calls them:
* The Elastic
* The Glue
* The Pulley
* The Ladder
* The Velvet Hammer
Let’s take a closer look at Tool #1: The Elastic (Stress Busting):
According to Dr. Segal, “Our capacity to regulate our own stress is the elastic that provides us with a feeling of safety, giving us the ability to be emotionally available and engaged with other people, as well as to resolve relationship difficulties by returning communications to relaxed, energized states of awareness.”
The first step in managing relationship stress is to identify what your triggers are. The next step is to learn how to manage the physiological reaction (think, “fight or flight”). Ways to decrease stress in the moment are deep breathing or taking a “time-out.” A properly executed “time-out” allows the partner to get their stress response under control.
Couples who learn how to make use of the “elastic” tool will find they argue less. And if conflict arises, as it always will at some point, it will be managed in a much more productive way.
Let’s explore Tool #2: The Glue (Emotional Communication):
“The glue that holds the communication process together is the emotional exchange triggered by primary biological emotions which include anger, sadness, fear, joy and disgust,” she says. “These emotions, essential for communication that engages others, have often been numbed or distorted by misattuned early relationships, but they can and must be reclaimed and restored to attract and preserve relationships.”
This facet really gets into the area of my work that I love the most – how people react to each other based on earlier important relationships. Our emotional responses to our partner can be less about what’s going on in front of us and more about old wounds being triggered. It’s not to say that our partners might be behaving in an unhelpful way – but the experience may be magnified to us.
People who get in touch with their family of origin wounds (if they exist) will be better able to identify when “old stuff” is getting triggered in their relationship and be able to think more clearly about it.
Let’s take a look at Tool #3: The Pulley (Nonverbal Communication):
“It takes more than words to create and secure productive, exciting, safe and fulfilling relationships,” says Dr. Segal. “Nonverbal communication is the pulley that attracts and holds the attention of others.”
Examples include eye contact, facial expression, tone of voice and intensity. What messages do you send to your partner? Do you accurately read the nonverbal communication of others or do you misinterpret signals?
Couples who are good at nonverbal emotional communication can better manage and avoid conflict. Additionally, poor stress management (as discussed in part 1) can negatively impact the use of nonverbal communication.
Let’s briefly explore Tool #4: The Ladder (Playfulness and Humor):
“Playfulness and humor, the naturally high ladder, enable us to navigate awkward, difficult and embarrassing issues,” she says.
Couples who can use humor in times of conflict are much better getting through it. It reduces stress, wards off depression, creates a shared experience and generally improves relationships. However, be aware that not all “humor” is helpful. Sarcasm can be experienced as thinly veiled criticism.
Let’s take a look at the final tool, #5: The Velvet Hammer (Conflict Resolution):
The ability to manage conflict and forgive is referred to as the velvet hammer. Couples who are able to hear each other, assist in problem solving, and avoid harsh, critical language are more adept at building trust between each other. Additionally, people have different needs regarding feeling emotionally safe. “Everyone needs to feel understood, nurtured and supported but the ways these needs are met can vary widely,” she says.
In my own couples therapy practice, the issues that people present often times end up being less about the “issues” and more about a lack of emotional intelligence. The good news is that emotional intelligence can be learned and couples can have a closer, more emotionally safe and loving relationship.
The process involves learning stress management techniques, emotional / nonverbal communication, how to use humor and conflict resolutions tools. Observing two people move closer to each other in a more loving way is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
