American Leadership Lacks Emotional Intelligence

Copyright (c) 2012 Jim Ford

All too often we see people across the globe acting out of anger or fear, most often taking action out of pure emotion, which usually leads to violence and destruction. We see it on the news from around the world; we see it in our communities, and even in our own households.

Unfortunately, we also see this type of behavior by those who are supposed to be well educated and experienced elected leaders of our once great nation. Decisions made by our elected officials that are based on emotion can be just as destructive and cowardly as the actions of an angry mob.

Almost daily you can find something in the news about a violent attack or killing as the result of a relationship breakup, the outcome of a sporting event, a parking space, a place in line at the ticket counter, or even a misunderstood act of kindness. These people are often acting without thought. They are acting on uncontrolled emotion. Many of these people would typically be referred to as good people.

Out of all the people in this country, you would think that our American leadership should be able to rise above the emotion and make their decisions based on facts. It often seems as if the decisions made by our leadership are based on the evening news rather than solid research.

A quick peek into what is happening right now in the area of gun control as a result of the school shooting in Connecticut is a good example. Yes, it was an absolute tragedy and there is nothing worse than the loss of a child, but making a new law restricting honest law abiding citizens from buying guns will not resolve the issue.

Try a little realism. If a person is intent on staging a mass shooting where he or she is likely to be killed or put away for life, do you really think they will be scared off by the prospect of breaking a gun control law?

Proper research will show that deterrence comes when the criminal suspects that the potential victim appears to be able to fight back. Studies show that criminals, especially violent criminals will select their victims often by who appears to be the most vulnerable.

Statistics show that where people are allowed to carry concealed firearms and are trained to do so, there is most often a lower rate of violent crime. Quite simply, if the criminal suspects that you can defend yourself, you are less likely to become a target. These are facts, and not emotional responses. (I will go in depth on gun rights and research in my next newsletter that will explore the 2nd Amendment)

Emotional intelligence is simply being able to recognize when emotion is beginning to take over and controlling it, rather than letting it control you. When you get into an argument and feel you might be losing, do you reach out with something hurtful even if you know it may not be entirely true? Have you ever made a decision based on what you believed to be true just because you wanted it to be true? A person practicing emotional intelligence can recognize when this is happening and step away, or diffuse the situation before it becomes escalated and out of control with no basis.

Our leadership seems to argue with one another in the same manner, placing a personal win above the importance of what is right for our country. A little emotional intelligence within the ranks of our leadership could go a long way towards finding solutions to our problems.

Think about it and be honest. It has probably happened to you.

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