Why The Brain Needs A Heart

Academic Achievement And Leadership: Why We Need Emotional Intelligence for Achievement

(MEDIA AMBASSADORS) There has been a tremendous focus on the declining academic achievement of students since the start of the pandemic, as well as a rise in issues relating to mental health and wellbeing. But the link between the two is not often talked about. This is why we need Emotional Intelligence for academic achievement. Before Emotional Intelligence was called Emotional Intelligence, it was deemed more of a character trait that you are born with rather than a skill set that can be developed.

“We define emotional intelligence as an understanding of how emotions work, how they can be processed for a healthy mind and body,” said American thought leader and speaker Nadine Levitt.

Levitt is a Swiss-born, German, Kiwi, and author who is passionate about education, especially focusing on child emotional wellness, social and emotional skill development using the Arts, and EdTech.

Feelings like stress and anxiety are contagious. They can feed the stress levels of others around them. Especially when you are a leader of any kind. A focus on emotional intelligence is crucial if we want to interrupt this cycle. Before we are students, teachers, parents, school leaders, etc. Academic achievement is important, but it is dependent on a level of emotional intelligence. They are linked, and when approached together can actually benefit each other. For example, as students start to reflect on improved academic outcomes, they build confidence and motivation to continue learning. Learning can be vulnerable and requires us to take risks and challenge ourselves, to self-regulate when we feel fear and awkwardness so that we don’t limit ourselves, but instead move through it.