01/08/2026
Have you considered what Nourishment has to do with Emotional Intelligence? That was the theme of our meeting last night. It was enlightening to hear the different ways our members and guests plan to nourish themselves and their EQ in 2026.
Feel free to inspire us with how you are or will be nourishing your EQ in the comments below...
Thank you Yuriy Ksenidi, our VP Education for this great introduction to the meeting: As defined in the dictionary nourishment is food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Examples are water, fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains. Together. these elements contribute to a person feeling their best. None of these elements alone will result in someone running a marathon or hiking a 5-mile-long trail. Likewise, focusing only on one element will likely not help a person meet a goal, such as decreasing body fat, remaining energetic throughout the day, or living a longer life. It is important to recognize the role each element plays in overall health and give attention to each one. For example, making a habit out of drinking at least 8 glasses of water can lead to better digestion, healthy blood pressure, and minimizing sugary drinks from one’s diet.
In the context of emotional intelligence, nourishment works similarly. If we want to become better at recognizing, managing, and using emotions, both our own and those of others, to reach the desired outcome, there are several elements involved. Here are examples of skills needed to build up our emotional intelligence and what we can do to nourish or increase them. The skills, then, become higher emotional intelligence others see in us. The outcome is fewer unhealthy conflicts, more understanding of each other and stronger relationships with those in our lives.
Practice Self-Awareness: foundation of emotional intelligence
Notice triggers: Pay attention to situations or people that evoke strong emotional reactions. Understanding what sets you off is the first step to managing your emotions constructively.
Build Empathy: ability to understand and share the feelings of others
Listen actively: Focus on truly hearing what others are saying without interrupting or judging. Use open-ended questions to encourage people to share more.
Develop Emotional Regulation: Managing your emotions in healthy ways is vital for emotional intelligence
Reframe negative thoughts: Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and try to view situations from a more positive or neutral perspective.
Foster Positive Relationships: Strong relationships are both a result of and a catalyst for emotional intelligence
Offer support: Be available for others when they need encouragement or help.
Commit to Continuous Learning: emotional intelligence can be developed with consistent practice and learning.
Practice self-compassion: Recognize that growth takes time and be kind to yourself during setbacks or challenges.
Check out our website for more information: https://eqleadership.toastmastersclubs.org/
Consider participating in our next meeting on January 21st. Our meeting theme is, "Treat Yo' Self". Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81658799356?pwd=TkFnclJnVUcxTC9aQ0R0UExwK1Izdz09
EQ Leadership is a specialty Toastmasters club that focuses on emotional intelligence (EQ), health and wellness, and personal/professional development. Sponsored by the Center for Creative Learning.
