Newsletter No. 107

At A Glance Infographics

INFOGRAPHIC — Emotional intelligence

The Downside of Emotional Intelligence

99% of what is posted in LinkedIn about EI/EQ is positive. I am personally guilty of falling into that trap myself with my posts on the topic of EI. But it’s not all peaches and cream. There is a downside….

Being highly emotionally intelligent can be incredibly beneficial, but like any trait, it can have its drawbacks if not managed well. Here are 10 potential pitfalls of being too emotionally intelligent:

No. 1  — Emotional Overload
Highly emotionally intelligent people can become overwhelmed by their own emotions and the emotions of others. This can lead to burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion.

No. 2  — Overthinking
Constantly analyzing emotions and social situations can lead to overthinking, which can cause anxiety and make decision-making more difficult.

No. 3  — Difficulty Setting Boundaries
Those with high emotional intelligence may struggle to set boundaries, as they are often highly empathetic and want to help others, even at their own expense.

No. 4  — Manipulation
There is a risk of using emotional intelligence to manipulate others, consciously or unconsciously, which can harm relationships and lead to ethical dilemmas.

No. 5  — Neglecting Logical Thinking
Over-reliance on emotional intelligence can sometimes overshadow logical thinking and objective decision-making, leading to less balanced choices.

No. 6  — Emotional Labor
Constantly managing and responding to the emotions of others can be exhausting and may not always be reciprocated, leading to feelings of imbalance and frustration.

No. 7  — Difficulty in Detaching
High emotional intelligence can make it hard to detach from others’ problems, causing emotional entanglement and difficulty in maintaining personal well-being.

No. 8  — Perceived as Overly Sensitive
People with high emotional intelligence might be perceived as overly sensitive or emotional, which can lead to misunderstandings and undervaluation in environments that prioritize rationality and objectivity.

No. 9  — People-Pleasing
Highly emotionally intelligent individuals may fall into the trap of people-pleasing, constantly seeking to make others happy and avoid conflict. This can lead to neglecting their own needs and desires.

No. 10  — Overcomplicating Simple Interactions
Reading too much into every interaction can complicate simple communications. This can cause misunderstandings, as the emotionally intelligent person might infer intentions or feelings that aren’t actually present.

While emotional intelligence is a valuable skill, it’s important to balance it with self-care, clear boundaries, and a mix of emotional and logical decision-making to avoid these pitfalls.

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INFOGRAPHIC — Personal development

Looking Successful Rather Than Being Successful

It’s easy to fall into the trap of projecting an image of success rather than focusing on the hard work it takes to achieve it. We scroll through curated highlights of others’ lives and feel pressured to keep up. But at what cost?