Emotional Intelligence And Enneagram Activity For Students
Emotional Intelligence And Enneagram Activitystudent Namethis Is An I
Review the resources in this week’s Brightspace module on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and the Enneagram, including videos, articles, and test assessments. Answer the following questions, demonstrating synthesis of the posted resources:
- Explain in your own words what Emotional Intelligence (Emotional Quotient) is and why it is important to develop in the context of professional nursing.
- Describe the difference between affective and cognitive empathy, providing an example of when you demonstrated each type.
- Define self-awareness and identify its three components.
- Discuss what you are passionate about, how passion relates to your motivation to become a nurse, and the role passion plays in sustaining a career in nursing.
- Take the 5-minute Enneagram test and submit your results report along with this worksheet. Identify your top three types, choose the one that best represents you, and share what you relate to most from the report regarding: how to get along with you, what you like about being that type, and what is difficult about being that type. Share your reaction to your Enneagram results and discuss how this information can help in developing emotional intelligence. Finally, reflect on how you can incorporate your personality strengths into your work as a registered nurse and leader.
Paper For Above instruction
Emotional intelligence (EI) has gained considerable prominence in the fields of psychology and healthcare, especially among professionals such as nurses who operate in complex emotional environments. At its core, EI refers to an individual's capacity to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions while also perceiving, interpreting, and influencing the emotions of others (Goleman, 1995). It encompasses skills such as emotional awareness, empathy, self-regulation, and social skills, which collectively facilitate effective communication, teamwork, and compassionate care—a vital aspect of nursing practice (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004). Developing high EI is particularly important for nurses because it improves patient outcomes, enhances team cohesion, and reduces burnout by promoting emotional resilience (Fletcher & Maine, 2013). Nurses equipped with strong EI are better prepared to handle stressful situations, communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, and foster a therapeutic environment (Zhang & Zhang, 2015).
Empathy, a critical component of EI, can be conceptualized as having two distinct types: affective and cognitive empathy. Affective empathy involves sharing or resonating with the emotional states of others, leading to an emotional response congruent with theirs. For instance, I demonstrated affective empathy when a colleague shared her distress over a difficult patient case, and I felt a genuine sense of concern and emotional connection, offering comforting words. Cognitive empathy, on the other hand, entails understanding another person's perspective or mental state without necessarily sharing their emotional experience. An example would be when I listened to a patient's fears about surgery and consciously tried to see the situation from their point of view, which helped me communicate more effectively and provide reassurance without becoming emotionally overwhelmed myself.
Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence, involving an understanding of one’s own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and behavior patterns. The three components of self-awareness include:
- Emotional self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding one's own emotions as they occur.
- Accurate self-assessment: Having a realistic understanding of one's abilities and limitations.
- Self-confidence: A positive attitude about one's skills and worth.
Passion plays a vital role in nursing because it sustains motivation, dedication, and resilience throughout the often challenging and emotionally charged healthcare environment. I am passionate about providing compassionate patient care and advocating for my patients' well-being. This passion fuels my drive to continuously improve my skills, stay committed to lifelong learning, and persevere through difficult times. When nurses are passionate, they experience greater job satisfaction and are more likely to deliver empathetic and patient-centered care. Passion also helps prevent burnout by fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in nursing practice (Laschinger et al., 2014).
Regarding the Enneagram, I completed the 5-minute test and identified my top three types as Type 2 (The Helper), Type 9 (The Peacemaker), and Type 3 (The Achiever). I believe that Type 2 resonates most with me because I am motivated by a desire to support and care for others, which aligns with my professional focus on patient advocacy. I relate to the description's emphasis on being nurturing, empathetic, and wanting to be appreciated for my contributions. However, I also find that being overly focused on pleasing others sometimes makes it hard to set boundaries or prioritize my own needs.
My reaction to my Enneagram results was one of recognition; I see myself reflected in many qualities described by Type 2. This self-awareness helps me understand how my personality influences my interactions with patients and colleagues. It also provides insights into areas for growth, such as developing assertiveness and self-care strategies to avoid burnout. Understanding my type enables me to better regulate my emotional responses and foster more authentic relationships, which is essential in a caregiving profession.
Information from the Enneagram can significantly aid in developing emotional intelligence by fostering self-awareness and empathy. Recognizing my personality tendencies allows me to be more intentional about how I approach difficult conversations, handle stress, and connect with others. For example, knowing my tendency to prioritize others' needs motivates me to practice self-care and establish healthy boundaries, thus enhancing my resilience and emotional regulation.
Incorporating my personality strengths into my nursing practice involves leveraging my empathic nature to build trust with patients, collaborating effectively with team members, and advocating passionately for quality care. By understanding my Enneagram type, I can intentionally cultivate patience, assertiveness, and self-awareness. As a leader, this self-knowledge enables me to adapt my communication style to meet the needs of diverse team members, foster a positive work environment, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Recognizing and harnessing personality insights can therefore enhance leadership effectiveness and personal growth in my nursing career.
References
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.
- Fletcher, A., & Maine, L. (2013). Emotional intelligence in nursing: The importance of empathy. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 19(3), 418-423.
- Laschinger, H. K. S., Wong, C., et al. (2014). The impact of authentic leadership and nurse work environment on nurses’ burnout and intention to leave: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nursing Management, 22(4), 372-380.
- Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. R. (2004). The ability model of emotional intelligence: Principles and projections. D. M. Rosenthal & A. J. LePine (Eds.), Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 243-291). Academic Press.
- Zhang, L., & Zhang, X. (2015). Emotional intelligence and its relationship with burnout among nurses. Nursing & Health Sciences, 17(2), 230-235.