International Institute For Global Leadership
Issue #165* September 2015
www.global-leadership.com
Asheville, NC. USA
Guest Editorial
Emotional Intelligence
Harriet Opondo (Uganda)
opondohattie@gmail.com
Daniel Coleman in this amazing book conveys the fact that having a high IQ is not everything. It shows how defining intelligence using one’s IQ level is narrow and leaves out important aspects which affect life and how we relate with Others. Coleman highlights important concepts such as empathy, self-awareness and self-discipline which form emotional intelligence.
Here are some key points I found to be important from reading the book:
Learning and flow: A new model of education. The education system in many parts of the world seems to motivate students to study so as to get rewards such as wealth and fame, however research, as indicated in the books shows that students perform better at tasks they enjoy hence it is key that we encourage our students to do what they enjoy and not just what is popular. This idea is important to me as a Social worker and psychologist who is always in touch with teachers, parents and students, since I can now sell the idea of learning and flow to the clients.
Balm for anger: Many individuals struggle to control anger effectively. According to the author, the best balm for anger is to short circuit it before it escalates into higher levels. For instance, if one provides explanation early for a certain behavior which could potentially cause anger outbursts, there is a higher likelihood, that angry reactions maybe avoided. This is important because I live in a perfect world, hence I am bound to get upset by different people and circumstances, hence learning to deal with anger before it escalates will prevent unhealthy response from me.
Optimism: The great motivator. Optimism, the positive outlook acts as a great motivator to keep trying and hoping for victory even when we have experienced failure or a setback. This is significant for me since it encourages me not to give up even when tempted to. I am currently frustrated due to delays with my graduate school research; however I keep the flame of optimism burning, believing that soon, I will complete my thesis.
Can emotions be intelligent? There has always been a debate about intelligence, what constitutes it and how it can be measured. However research has showed that one can have a high IQ but with low emotional intelligence. Hence pointing that ,aspects such as self-awareness, managing emotions, empathy and handling relationships form the definition of emotional intelligence. This is key since, it reminds me that it is not enough for an individual to have high IQ, emotional intelligence is important. Recently I was interviewing candidates for a post at our organization and it is amazing that the young lady who eventually got the job had more than high IQ, she demonstrated, in the way she responded to the interview questions, and that she can manage her emotions and that she is teachable and creative.
The body’s mind: how emotions matter for health: Traditionally, medical personnel did not recognize the link between emotions, central nervous system and the immune system. However research has proved that emotions influence the immune system. For instance constant and high levels of stress negatively affect the immune system by suppressing it. I have noticed that when I am experiencing high levels of stress, I am more vulnerable to things like colds and fevers, hence proving that stress suppresses one’s immune system.
The family crucible: Family life is our first school for emotional learning; it is in the family setting that we learn how to feel, express feelings and exercise emotional control. Children learn about emotions both through the ways his or her parents respond to the child’s emotion and how parents handle their own feelings and that of the spouse. Hence it is crucial that parents and prospective parents understand the importance of expressing and handling emotions in the family setting. As a last born, growing up with older siblings, I did not get a lot of opportunities to express my views and opinions and especially expressing my emotions. Hence many times I did not verbalize how I felt, I simply expressed them with non-verbal cues. This affected how I responded to conflicts as an adult. I am thankful for the progress that I have made in effectively dealing with negative emotions.
(Hattie is currently a Level Five Student and serving on the IIGL Board of Directors for the 2nd Term).
What Our Students Are Saying
Dennis Korbla Amega Penu (Ghana)
dennospenu@yahoo.co.uk
In 2011, when I was introduced to IIGL by another friend in my university in Ghana, my initial excitement was because I liked being involved with non-profits. But when I got enrolled, the first list of books that I had to read were somewhat interesting because of the theoretical principles of self-development that I encountered in my reading. At level one of my studies, I did not realize that these principles were practical enough to influence my actions. At best, I felt they could only influence my perception and thoughts. Now I am working on Level Five of my reading and I realize the books at this level were a practical link to what I referred to as “theory” in the beginning books. I am now reading books that affect my interactions, help my academic career and in the next set of books I will receive, I expect to take a peek into the life of people I admire and the a career I aim at. As someone living in a low-income country, I realize that most of these books would have been out of my reach until I was financially sound enough to afford them; and probably then it will be too late to acquire. Last week, I spoke to a friend and colleague who I was not getting along with in the past, but now cannot remember the last time we picked a quarrel over a course of action. This is what IIGL can do for human relationships. I work with youth and many of them seek to learn from me. The first recommendation I usually make to them is get enrolled in IIGL, and we will be in tune to develop together.
(Dennis is the IIGL National Coordinator in Ghana, a Level Five student and on the 2015-2016 Board of Directors).
What Our Students Are Reading
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0940069547/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1″>You must Set Forth at Dawn; A Memoir By: Wole Soyinka ($11.87)
The first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, as well as a political activist of prodigious energies, Wole Soyinka now follows his modern classic Ake: The Years of Childhood with an equally important chronicle of his turbulent life as an adult in (and in exile from) his beloved, beleaguered homeland. In the tough, humane, and lyrical language that has typified his plays and novels, Soyinka captures the indomitable spirit of Nigeria itself by bringing to life the friends and family who bolstered and inspired him, and by describing the pioneering theater works that defied censure and tradition. Soyinka not only recounts his exile and the terrible reign of General Sani Abacha, but shares vivid memories and playful anecdotes–including his improbable friendship with a prominent Nigerian businessman and the time he smuggled a frozen wildcat into America so that his students could experience a proper Nigerian barbecue. More than a major figure in the world of literature, Wole Soyinka is a courageous voice for human rights, democracy, and freedom. You Must Set Forth at Dawn is an intimate chronicle of his thrilling public life, a meditation on justice and tyranny, and a mesmerizing testament to a ravaged yet hopeful land.
Students In Action
IIGL Treasurer Charles Kabera (Rwanda) Publishes 2nd Book
Congratulations to IIGL Treasurer, Rwanda National Coordinator and Graduate Charles Kabera has just published his 2nd Book, entitled “Challenges Facing Developing Countries in Dispute Settlement Under WTO.” Please email Charles directly for more information at kabcharles@yahoo.fr as he can offer a discount if you order multiple copies.
Valuable Resources for Personal & Planetary Transformation
Idealist
Idealist.org
Idealist (Idealist.org) is all about connecting idealists – people who want to do good with opportunities for action and collaboration worldwide. With more then 100,000 organizations and 1.4 million monthly visitors to the English, Spanish and French sites, Idealist helps people move from intention to action all over the world. Below is an overview:
Vision: To help build a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives by making sure that no opportunity for action or collaboration is missed or wasted.
Mission: To close the gap between intention and action by connecting people, organizations, ideas, and resources.
Values: To act in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect: no violence; no action against anyone on the basis of their identity; no action about you without you.
News
Select The International Institute For Global Leadership on Smile.Amazon.com!
Just a reminder that each time you shop, at no cost to you on Amazon.com you, a portion of your purchase can be donated to IIGL. When you shop at http://smile.amazon.com/”>smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to IIGL! Share this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-2443621 and ask your family, employees, and friends to bookmark this link so all their eligible shopping will benefit International Institute For Global Leadership Inc. Disbursements are made to IIGL on a quarterly basis from Amazon!
Meet Our New Students
We are happy to welcome 3 new students this month from Kenya and Nigeria
Charles Mwangi (Kenya)
I am a 33 year old male, a distinguished accountant with 7 years work experience in managing funds of private businesses and donor-funded environmental conservation projects in Kenya and also has in-depth knowledge and experience in business development, HR & Employment legislation, project management and market analysis.Charles was born in the slopes of Mount Kenya, Central province the now so called Nyeri County in Kenya; Nyeri County is rich with agriculture related activities and thus saw myself spending much of my young age attending to coffee, zero grazed dairy cows. Charles is a Christian and a member of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa.
I am 47 years old born on August 11, 1967. I had been living in Harar, a small city, in east Kenya.
Iroegbu Daniel (Nigeria)
Working directly with the communities focusing on malaria elimination, menstrual hygiene management (MHM), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Family Planning, Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C), Rural Nutrition, Dental Health, Reproductive Health, Teenage Pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and STIs/ STDs and associated health problems. I am the Founder of the Global Dental Health Care Foundation incorporated in Nigeria with the mandate of reduce preventable diseases, identify health and environmental challenges, improve livelihood and sustainable health in the communities.Through this Non-governmental organization, we have been able to mobilize the rural communities on improve family planning, safe water use, improved sanitation and hygiene and elimination of open defection. Leading advocacy aimed at mitigating harmful cultural, traditional and religious restrictions on menstruation and menstrual hygiene management and female genital mutilation.
Olawale Isaac Wale-Awe (Nigeria)
I am 54 with 29 years’ post degree experience in accounting, auditing, banking, consulting and the academics. I have been involved, as a consultant, in jobs relating to proffering solutions to businesses, government agencies and international organizations.
My career is built on my background in Economics, Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Information Technology and academics as well as numerous training and development courses in Finance, Audit, Management and Banking. This is also anchored on good interpersonal relationship, strong communication skills with extensive experience in management, accounting, auditing, and entrepreneurship development.
To view their complete profiles,Click Here.
Visionary Leadership
Student Progress
We had 13 students from 7 countries complete a total of 19 books in August. These students were from Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Minny Nkwe (Botswana)
* Maximum Achievement
* Unlimited Power
Kuma, Emmanuel Fangyong (Cameroon/USA)
* Unlimited Power
Vivian Muciri (Kenya)
* How to Make Collaboration Work
Charles Kihia Mwangi (Kenya)
* As a Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Iroegbu Daniel Ifegwu (Nigeria)
* As a Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Adeosun Oluwatosin Isaac (Nigeria)
* Real Magic
Offor Kennedy John (Nigeria)
* 40 Day Prosperity Plan
Igwe O. Matthew (Nigeria)
* Goals
Olawale Isaac Wale-Awe (Nigeria)
* As a Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Hakizimana Tuyishime Roger (Rwanda)
* Real Magic
Jean Jacques Etouke Mbebi (South Africa)
Psycho-Cybernetics
Juliette Engole (Uganda)
* How to Win Friends & Influence People
* The New Dynamics of Winning
Harriet Opondo (Uganda)
* 10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking
* The Leadership Pill
Graduates
Minny Nkwe (Botswana) completed Level Two
Statistics
New Enrollments
4 enrolled in August
44 enrolled in 2015
Book Assessments
19 in August
166 in 2015
Books Shipped
7 in August
101 in 2015
Cost of Books
$135.19 in August
$2,137.99 in 2015
You Make It Possible
We extend a special thanks to the following individuals and/or organizations who contributed to IIGL last month. Your ongoing support makes this work possible.
Deb Silver (Israel)
Lynne Murguia (USA/AZ)
Corine Wilson (USA/FL)
Lily Ann (USA/GA)
Kathleen Oweegon (USA/NM)
(In Memory of Eleanore Marek)
John Hornecker (USA/NC)
Michael Lightweaver (USA/NC)
Janis Thayer (USA/NC)
David Banner (USA/WI)
Deb Rosen (USA/WI)
Make A Difference
Dream Team 22
Please join Dream Team 22 as our goal is to have 220 people contributing $22 per month. We understand that money is energy and that to sustain and build IIGL we need a lot of people pouring their energy into this endeavor on a regular basis. We also know that not everyone can afford to commit $22 a month – especially our students, who live in countries with economies in which this amount can be equal to a weeks’ salary. So we are offering two options for those who wish to become a part of the Dream Team. One can commit to a $22 a month contribution or to spending 22 seconds each day holding the vision of IIGL becoming financially sustainable by the end of 2015.
Will you join the Dream Team and help us create an energetic foundation to support the transformational work of IIGL? You can really make a difference in the world by making a modest contribution of time or money. To make the $22 a month commitment or a one time donation, click the link below. To become a member of the Dream Team 22 by committing 22 second a day to help us hold the vision, contact Deb for details: drosen2@wi.rr.com
Checks on US banks, payable to the International Institute For Global Leadership, can be mailed to IIGL, 11537 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092 USA. Contributions may also be made by credit card by clicking the link below. Contributions are tax deductible under the 501 (c) 3 tax code of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
To Contribute By Credit Card, Click Here
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