Author: Joni Peddie
Without exaggerating, there are literally hundreds of ways of becoming more self- aware, and hence be more Adaptable to embrace and think through opportunities and / or adversity. As a Preferred Partner in South Africa for the Six Seconds EQ Worldwide Network (in 174 countries), we talk about ‘emotions driving people, and people driving performance’. […]
Without exaggerating, there are literally hundreds of ways of becoming more self- aware, and hence be more Adaptable to embrace and think through opportunities and / or adversity.
As a Preferred Partner in South Africa for the Six Seconds EQ Worldwide Network (in 174 countries), we talk about ‘emotions driving people, and people driving performance’. As Leaders we need to act with purpose and forethought, and one of the enablers for this is ‘pausing’ to look ahead, before you jump in. Applying consequential thinking (ACT) is one of the eight competencies in the Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence.
ACT takes into account that we can use our emotions and our rational thinking to help us pause, evaluate our choices, and the in-turn ensure that we are more ‘adaptable’ for that set of circumstances. Perhaps you need to ask yourself a few questions: ‘What else do I need to take into account?’ ; ‘What / who will give me perspective?’ ; ‘What are the implications for myself / others, in both the short- term and the long-term?’
All 8 EQ competencies are all learnable competencies. ACT, is one that I have focused on developing. I run a busy life (like most people) and a business that delivers workshops and programmes for Clients in different time zones. Everything I do aligns with my personal purpose statement – ‘To inspire actionable resilience, for people to live their best, and most optimal life’. I often need to ‘make choices’ and weigh up the Pros and Cons. To ensure that I have time to ask myself the right provocative questions – I need to push the ‘pause button’. This ensures that I can be intentional and responsive, as opposed to reactive and impulsive.
Here are three practical ways to ‘push your own pause button’, so that you can strengthen your AQ. Your ‘Adaptability Quotient’..
When I am emotionally triggered, and worrying that my rational thinking will go out the window, I know that I need to ‘do something’. As a result, I stand-up and get away from my desk. I go and bounce (for about two minutes) vigorously on my mini-trampoline, which is five meters from my desk, on my veranda. If I am in a meeting room / board room, I will fabricate a ‘bathroom break’. When in the bathroom, I do fifty deep squats (in the cubicle if others are around). I try and focus on the counting, so that I give my ‘brain-a-breather’ and keep counting under my breath until I get to fifty! ‘Motion shifts Emotion’. This buys me time to ACT, and to think through my choices. I want to think through how I potentially want to respond, when I get back to the board room.
If I am working on a project, or trying to re-prioritise my day – I’ll use Dr Caroline Leaf’s breathing technique which is beautifully simple and incredibly practical.
I will get up from my desk and walk to the kitchen to get something to drink, or a healthy snack. As I walk, I breathe-in (through my nose) to the count of three and mentally ask myself – “What do I feel?” and “What do I think?”.
I then breathe-out (through my mouth) to the count of seven and ask myself (mentally) – “What do I choose?”. I’ll do this breathing / mental-clearing technique about three times.
Answers and ‘pearls of wisdom’ don’t immediately spring to mind. However, this is what I call the ‘windscreen wiper’ for my brain. I return to my desk and look at the project / task at hand, and it feels like the burst of oxygen to my brain has given me ‘fresh eyes’ (like a clean windscreen) and a new perspective for ‘consequential thinking’. In other words a long-range view of potential ‘consequences’. This greatly enhances ‘choice’ and adaptability.
None of these are rocket science.None of them cost a cent. So remind yourself that there is a vast difference between ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’. Challenge yourself to do one of them TODAY, and boost your ‘adaptability quotient’.
Dr Caroline Leaf is a neuro-scientist specialising in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology. Her latest book (released on 2 March 2021) is a must-read: “Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress & Toxic Thinking”
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Facebook
Read further articles in similar categories
The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
How your company’s career page is deterring candidates from applying. Every employee at your company can make or break a customer’s experience. That’s why it’s so important to ensure employees not only understand your company’s story, but also how they fit into it. Why does your company exist? Is there alignment between your stated mission, vision, and […]
Doing good for customers is something that is inherently right. I admire purpose-driven companies. They have a strong commitment to a noble cause that helps them avoid the pitfalls of short-termism and significantly do good for society in some way. Whatever a company’s purpose, I believe that those with integrity ensure that the golden thread […]
Master Your Mind will expand your sphere of influence and drastically increase your confidence. The executive coaching services and leadership training offered here empower leaders to engage their teams by empowering themselves first. James R. Elliot is a board-designated and certified leadership coach offering training and coaching services to leaders who: Need to discuss personal […]
Do your Data-Driven Marketing efforts feel like a shot in the dark? It doesn’t have to be that way. With the power of today’s abundance of data, brands can use a measured and data-driven approach to build an agile and compelling customer experience. According to Tiffany Perkins-Munn, Head of Data and Analytics at J.P. Morgan Chase, […]
While The Future of Optimization has permeated our culture at large, it is Gen Z that has grown up in era when technology has enabled them to optimize everything from their sleep and their workouts to their study habits and even their intellect. Last year, I interviewed executives who work in the vitamin division of […]
In this article you will discover Emotional Management Practices. A person with poor emotional management in the workplace, or even in personal life, can have consequences such as being fired or failing to maintain a stable relationship. At work, those who do not have an awareness of their emotions are often someone who has difficulty appreciating and being appreciated […]
A framework from my book Humancentric for how to create Relationship and Intelligence in businesses in the fourth industrial revolution. How do we focus more on people than technology? When we do our research behind all of the aspects of business, we need to focus on the context we are in, the relationships around that […]
Toward the end of 2020, I made a resolution to cut down on my intake of fast food. I was almost resolute never to bring another juicy slice of pizza to my lips ever again and Making Organizational Changes Stick I had always known the truth – it was counterproductive to my gym routine and one slice […]
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
