SEL: The Difference Between Your Child Becoming a CEO and a Criminal?

SEL:  The Difference Between Your Child Becoming a CEO and a Criminal?

A criminal and a CEO may seem like two completely different people. But when you look at their traits side by side, it's easy to see they have a lot in common. For instance, both criminals and CEOs are often charming and charismatic. They're also usually good at manipulating people and situations to their advantage. In addition, they tend to be risk-takers who are always looking for the next big score. Of course, the two groups have some distinct and obvious differences. For instance, CEOs are more likely to be successful if they're well-educated and possess a strong work ethic and a clear purpose. But when it comes down to it, the traits of a criminal and a CEO are quite similar.  Could the X-factor be social-emotional learning?

A recent study has found that emotional intelligence is significantly related to academic performance, especially at the secondary and post-secondary school levels. Emotional intelligence is the ability to be aware and understand emotions and to respond constructively. The study found that emotional intelligence contributes to success in both cognitive and non-cognitive skills. For example, emotionally intelligent students are more likely to be able to regulate their emotions, stay focused, and persist in the face of challenges. In addition, emotional intelligence contributes to social skills and collaborative learning. These findings suggest that emotional intelligence is an important factor in academic success.

SEL refers to the skills children need to understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These are essential skills for success in school, work, and life. Unfortunately, many kids do not receive proper instruction in SEL. As a result, they may struggle with emotional regulation, have difficulty dealing with stress or conflict, and be less likely to reach their full potential. SEL is important because it gives kids the tools they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Children with strong social and emotional skills are more likely to succeed in school and their future careers. They are also more likely to lead happy and fulfilling lives. This leads to the development of our emotional intelligence, which is revered as one of the most sought-after traits of management and leadership.  

This is why How Are You Feeling is so passionate about teaching our kids about emotional awareness at an early age,  If our kids are able to understand and regulate their emotions, they are more likely to understand and develop their Emotional Quotient (EQ).  This will give them the ability to understand, use, and manage their own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. 

As our world becomes increasingly complex, the need for emotional intelligence skills is more important than ever. Despite its importance, emotional intelligence is not often taught in schools. This is unfortunate, as emotional intelligence skills are greatly beneficial and can be learned at any age. Thankfully, there are a growing number of programs and initiatives that aim to provide students with emotional intelligence training. Students learn essential self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation skills through these programs. As a result, they are better equipped to navigate the challenges of school and life. Emotional intelligence skills are invaluable. Schools should do more to ensure all students have EI training access. By doing so, we can equip the next generation with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

So, will SEL increase your child's chances of becoming a CEO one day? The answer is complicated. The skills learned through SEL- such as empathy, communication and teamwork- do set children up for success in several areas. However, it is impossible to say definitively whether or not these skills will lead to greater career success. We can certainly say SEL makes kids more balanced, successful and happy overall. And we should be developing our child's EQ earlier in the education process so they can start benefiting from these life-changing skills sooner rather than later. I didn’t even know what Emotional Intelligence was until my 40’s.  Had I been formally taught about EQ earlier, would it have influenced my career path?  I’m not certain that it would have, but I definitely would’ve been better able to deal with adversity, conflict resolution, dealing with my emotions versus suppressing them, and likely would’ve had a happier overall journey.