WIBF Ireland's 2nd Event Explores the Importance of Emotional Intelligence with Distinguished Speaker: Dr. Maureen Gaffney
“Research in 200 companies worldwide shows that at least two thirds of the difference between the 'star' performers in a company and 'average' performers is due to the individual's Emotional Intelligence. Only a third is due to technical/intellectual abilities.” Dr Maureen Gaffney
Following on from their successful Inaugural Seminar held at Citigroup's Headquarters in the International Financial Services Centre (“IFSC”), Dublin on 5 October 2004, WIBF Ireland hosted their second event on 27 January 2005 in the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Dublin. Bank of Ireland kindly sponsored the event. The distinguished speaker on this occasion was Dr. Maureen Gaffney and the focus was her research on the importance of Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Gaffney is a celebrated psychologist, writer, independent consultant, and broadcaster.
From left, pictured are -
Dr. Maureen Gaffney with Hilary Magrath, Annette Farrell and Phil Rafferty of WIBF Ireland.
Dr. Gaffney explained that Emotional Intelligence centres around the concept that the only statistical difference between great and mediocre leaders is their capacity to understand and care about other people. This idea is hugely relevant for workplace leaders. Emotional Intelligence provides a bedrock for a large number of competencies that help people perform more effectively. Carrying on from its philosophy are some insightful ideas for companies to consider:
Dr. Gaffney also focused on the mechanisms/habits that all humans are subject to. She explained that the four basic motivators behind human choices are the Drive to Acquire, the Drive to Bond, the Drive to Learn, and the Drive to Defend. The first three are positive motivators, while the Drive to Defend is a response to threat and fear. This response is ruled by our reflexive, unconscious mind and often makes us fall into old habits. Humans should strive to focus on the first three motivators as they are a response to opportunities. When effectively responding to these motivators, people often remember these times as “Me at my best.” Most people can relate to such a memory. Dr. Gaffney encourages thinking back to when you were “at your best” and figuring out what you were doing differently at that time. What is the cue that always gets the best out of you?
Dr. Gaffney gave insight into the role of optimism during her talk. Apart from the fact that positive moods can transfer from one person to the next like a contagion, studies have shown that ‘positive illusion' may be a better mental state that pure objectivity. A slightly exaggerated positive view of things is connected with employees who are more successful and have better relationships with their staff at work. Simple objectivity regarding circumstances was actually associated with mildly depressed employees. For leaders, there is no doubt that the philosophy of Emotional Intelligence stresses the ability to create and maintain positive moods, while containing personal negative feelings at the same time. Nurturing optimism in yourself is a key building block towards success at work and at home.
Dr. Gaffney's background and resume is quite inspirational and has allowed her to develop her expertise in leadership development and the psychological factors that determine success. She was educated at University College Cork, the University of Chicago, and Trinity College, Dublin. Dr. Gaffney also completed the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government's Women & Power: Leadership in a New World Executive Programme as well as the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Women's Director Development Programme in Chicago. While at the University of Chicago, she became an advocate of the ‘life-cycle' approach to developmental psychology, which sees life as an adult as constantly capable of change and development.
Back in Ireland, Dr. Gaffney was a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology in Trinity College Dublin for many years She was a member of the Law Reform Commission for 10 years and was influential in changing the legal profession's perspective on rape, child sexual abuse and aspects of family law.
Dr. Gaffney currently holds two government positions, as a member of the board of the Interim Health Service Executive and as chair of the National Economic and Social Forum, NESF.
She is also Chair of the Council of the Ombudsman of Ireland and is working as an independent consultant with a range of organisations, including the multinational, retail, professional, and nonprofit sectors. She is currently delivering a three-year programme on leadership and Emotional Intelligence with Intel Ireland.