What is emotional intelligence and why does it matter?

Loading player...
Do you think your co-workers have high or low emotional intelligence? What can we learn about EQ from someone that grew up in a communal home?
Theran Knighton-Fitt grew up in a home filled with love, support and more people than the average preschool class.
Theran's formative years clearly impacted how he leads his life and the work he does at Mygrow, an online employee wellness platform that drives personal growth.

In this episode of Something Shifted, Theran explains that emotional intelligence is a set of skills that helps manage oneself and interactions with others effectively. EQ involves self-management, relationships with others, decision-making, and stress handling. Core beliefs, values and personal narratives can play a significant role in the development of emotional intelligence.
Theran also shares his view on engaging with AI.

Quotes from Theran Knighton-Fitt:
"It was a complex and complicated childhood that has formed me in so many different ways."
"Emotional intelligence is so much broader than the average understanding."
"So much of the work we do at Mygrow is restorative, it is rehabilitation work to try and undermine some of the self-beliefs and narratives that we have of ourselves."

https://mygrow.me

PODCAST:
https://somethingshifted.co.za
https://www.instagram.com/seanloots
https://321shift.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Growing Up in a Communal Home (00:00:43) Theran's childhood experiences in a communal home in South Africa and the family's relocation plans.

Influence of Childhood on Emotional Intelligence (00:02:12) The impact of Theran's upbringing on his life and work in emotional intelligence.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence (00:05:06) Theran's explanation of emotional intelligence, its definition, and the broad involvement of emotions in various life areas.

Core Beliefs and Emotional Intelligence (00:09:43) The role of core beliefs in the development of emotional intelligence and their impact on identity and narratives.

Neuroscience and Emotional Response (00:13:25) Theran's explanation of the amygdala's role in associating past experiences with present situations and its impact on emotional responses.

The Importance of Belief and Support (00:16:25) Theran's perspective on the importance of having someone who believes in us, as seen through the lens of being a parent.

Restorative Work (00:20:16) Theran explains how the work at Mygrow is restorative and rehabilitative, aiming to address self-beliefs and identities developed in childhood.

Engaging with AI (00:21:39) Theran shares his approach to engaging with artificial intelligence and emphasizes the importance of maintaining human values and behaviors.

Emotional Sensitivity (00:24:19) Theran reflects on how exhaustion increases emotional sensitivity and the impact it has on feeling offended or misunderstood.

Recording Songs for Children (00:26:42) Theran expresses his desire to record the songs he wrote for his children, explaining the sentimental significance and meaning behind them.
20 May English South Africa Self-Improvement · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

12 Tremors Before Christmas

Year-end brings with it feelings of nostalgia and reflection. And while lifequakes are big events that permanently alter the course of a life, we want to recognise the smaller shifts and shakes - tremors, if you will, that sent us on a detour. This episode is a compilation of 12…
16 Dec 36 min

Waiting To Exhale.

Tanya has struggled to breathe since the day she was born. From viral infections to lung disease, Tanya was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans. The narrowing of Tanya's airways could not be reversed by medication. Considering the diagnosis and years of health challenges, she got on with living her life. By…
2 Dec 23 min

"I was alone with him when he died."

Zuraida was the last person to see her dad alive. The last person to speak to him. She was also the last person to comfort him. She was 13 years old. This traumatic event affected her deeply, leading to feelings of abandonment and a tendency towards hyper-independence. Zuraida discusses how…
18 Nov 25 min

One Rescue Breath Changed Three Lives

Sean shares his personal journey through a lifequake, detailing the challenges and transformations that come with raising a child with profound disabilities. He reflects on a critical incident involving his daughter Zoe, the emotional turmoil of hospital visits, and the lessons learned about resilience, empathy, and the importance of community…
4 Nov 16 min

Get Ready For All Of The Feels

Join me for the new season of Something Shifted, the podcast that asks some of South Africa’s most interesting people to share how significant life shifts, perceived as devastating, can lead to profound personal transformation and empowerment. Something Shifted with Sean Loots leans into the joy and discomfort of unexpected…
22 Oct 1 min