Are You Relationally Intelligent?
In order to be the best version of yourself in all aspects of your life, you need to have a certain awareness of how others perceive you. How you show up to your relationships, both business and otherwise. The focus of this article is relational intelligence, specifically how it can help you be more productive and present day-to-day.
What is relational intelligence? According to Steve Saccone, it is the ability to learn, understand, and comprehend knowledge as it relates to interpersonal dynamics. According to Steve and others, many leaders fail to take a serious look at the affect their relating patterns have on their leadership impact. Relationally intelligent leaders understand that they live in a world where relationships are the primary way we influence those around us.
Jeremie Kubicek, author of 5 Gears: How to Be Present and Productive When There Is Never Enough Time, calls relational intelligence the future competitive advantage for leaders. He says, relational intelligence is the ability to connect and be present in the midst of tasks.
Kubicek also believes that IQ is no longer a competitive advantage. Rather, it’s individuals who have the ability to connect who stand out amongst their peers and coworkers. Relational intelligence, he says, “increases your influence, your likeability, the desire for people to want to be around you.”
So what can you do as a retail RD to increase your relational intelligence? Use Kubicek’s 5 Gear strategy. He feels shifting between these gears at the right time is what allows us to be more relationally intelligent, form deeper connections with our colleagues, and get things done.
- Fifth gear: focus mode. This is where you get in the “zone” and get your planning and other autonomous work done.
- Fourth gear: task mode. This gear entails the tasks: emails, phone calls, and other follow up.
- Third gear: social mode. Grabbing a coffee or lunch with a colleague, and other networking are all very important to building influence.
- Second gear: connect mode. Truly connecting with the person in front of you, being present.
- First gear: recharge. Time for your self to rest and recharge.
Additionally, his tool can actually help you improve your productivity by helping you to be more fully connected to what you’re working on, or connect more deeply to and be more present with others. We know that as retail dietitians there are many daily tasks and responsibilities, getting yourself into “gear” might just help you feel like there actually is enough time in a day!
