Emotional Ignorance: What We Don't Know Still Impacts Others

Emotional Ignorance: What We Don't Know Still Impacts Others

Have you ever walked into a room and felt the energy shift immediately, only to notice someone else seems completely unaware of it? Whether it's Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Ignorance, I believe we've all experienced it in some form or fashion.

EI (or EQ) is a commonly used term, but what about its opposite, ignorance?  Yes. this can be considered a strong word, but it's only what we make it. Ignorance, by definition, is the absence of knowledge or awareness, whereas, ignoring is a choice. So, it's not that they're refusing to see others, they simply don't see them at all.  Their surroundings, the emotional temperature of a room, the reactions of others are non-existent to them.

Does this sound familiar?  Do these characteristics remind you of someone you know?  This is where we have to turn inward and look at ourselves.  Self-awareness asks us to not only look at ourselves, but manage our reactions.  In addition, it requires us to become more aware of other's feelings, needs, and experiences. 

We all have blind spots. Emotional intelligence doesn’t mean we get it right all the time. It means we’re willing to slow down, reflect, and adjust when we realize we’ve missed something.  Ask yourself...Have you ever misread a room, a response, or emotion?  It happens.  This isn't about blame; it's about awareness and correction.  The ability to extend grace, empathy, and understanding.  This is the goal.

If this resonates, tune into the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcast as we dive deeper into what emotional ignorance looks like in real life, how it impacts leadership and communication, and what we can do, individually and collectively, to lead with more humanity.