EiHO – Work in Progress

My emotional intelligence (EI) learning journey accelerated after hearing Dr Reuven Bar-On, one of the leading pioneers in the field of emotional intelligence deliver his keynote address on ‘The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Going Global’ at the Association For Coaching conference 2010. I bought a copy ‘Educating People to be Emotionally Intelligent’ edited by BarOn (2007) registered to study BarOn’s theory and practice with Dr. Geetu Bharwaney, an EI practitioner, writer and founder of Ei World. Through Ei World, I also studied with Dr K. V. Petrides creator of Trait Emotional Intelligence), professor Vanessa Urch Druskat and Dr Steven B. Wolff creators of Team Emotional Intelligence. The accreditation processes were rigorous and fascinating learning experiences, which involved being assessed and assessing others. Working with Geetu’s as amazing and still draw on her feedback on my Ei self assessment.

Since, I have integrated EI in my consulting, coaching and teaching practices. EI learning and development has proved to be a valuable ad insightful  personal and business investment. Over the past five years, I have worked with many individuals and organisations across different industries and within higher education sector internationally to help them create new and different futures.

Being sensitive to oneself and to others emotional well-being  is a vital element in the development of the personal qualities that are now urgently needed, in businesses, in the community and in personal life. It’s through feelings as well as through reason that we find our real creative power (Robinson, 2011: 196). For many years, I have been a follower of Sir Ken Robinson’s work, read Out of Our Minds and Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything’; watched nearly all his Podcast but had not really connected his philosophy on Ei.

Since I started working at UAL in 2014, I was naturally curious and so EI nationally integrate in all my teaching at London College of Communication London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins. The first class that I taught at LCC, resulted in Cyril Aboubacar Fofana, a BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design student writing an essay on ‘Why is it important for graphic designers to use emotional intelligence in the creative industries?’ This inspired my vision for EI to be integrated in the curriculum across the School of Design, LCC and UAL.

When I became the new course co-leader for BA (Hons) Design Management and Cultures, I was curious, naturally!

Maureen Salmon MA FRSA