Listening to a discussion on Emotional Intelligence the other day started me thinking on some of the broader implications of the concepts. Well, maybe broader applications is the wrong way to look at it since the theories and applications, in and of themselves, are pretty broad. But that is another blog entry. The discussion had simplified the fundamentals of EI down to four perspectives:

• Self Awareness
  Speaks to my ability to see myself as others see me. This is not the 'residual self image' dealt with in the Matrix.
• Self Mastery
  Deals with my ability to actually change. Am I able to make positive changes, learn and grow as an individual, based on how others see me.
• Other Aware
  Relates to my ability to see others as they see themselves, rather than how I see them.
• Relational Mastery
  Can I change the way I am to meet the needs of others.

While the whole idea of introspection and self awareness are pretty darn important (why wouldn't we want to spend more time thinking about ourselves), the idea of applying these concepts to a business intreigued. I am sure that the intention by the speaker was to highlight the human-to-human side of the relationships, but I could not help but think about this from a business-to-consumer perspective.

Are we Self Aware about our business?
Do we see our business in the same way our customers see us? This has nothing to do with how we wish to be perceived or what we believe our brand image is. But, more directed to, what are the real perceptions of the public, our customers, the media and the employees? What do you think the differences are between how Microsoft, Appleand Halliburton see themselves vs. how the public perceives them?

Do we have Self Mastery?
Are we structured, and do we have the humility, to change the way we operate to rework how others see us? This is not just a new quality initiative or process. Self Mastery of a business would start with Self Mastery of, well, self. Can we change our culture?

Are we aware of how our customers see themselves?
This is where it starts to get interesting to me. Once we understand how our customers see themselves, we have a better chance of actually meeting their needs. My instinct tells me that without Self Mastery, any attempt at being Other Aware would be self serving...

Relational Mastery - The Ultimate Goals.
Once we understand how we are perceived, have the ability to change, understand how our customers see themselves and the problems they are trying to solve, only then do we truly have the ability to deliver Exceptional products, solutions and services.

Quite simply, do you leave people better than you found them?