Emotional Intelligence 2.0

call someone’s bluff.

Remember, the main goal of social awareness is to recognize and

Essentially, there are two ways to pick up the mood of an entire room. First, you can rely solely on your gut instincts.

Someone who wants the whole story and complete picture observes others without the distraction of phones, typing, or writing. Instead, he or she simply observes.

When you enter the room, scan it and notice whether you feel and see energy or quiet, subdued calm. Take notice of how people are arranging themselves—alone or in groups. Are they talking and moving their hands? Are some more animated than others? What is your gut telling you about them?

The sooner you can hone your ability to spot safety,

understand how others are thinking and feeling. To do this, you need to focus on other people.

concern, or shifts in moods in group settings, the more skilled you will be in maneuvering through the social wilds of your life.

In addition to helping you see yourself more clearly, writing down your emotions makes your tendencies much easier to remember, and the journal serves as a great reference as you raise your self-awareness.