02.01.2010
  
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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Social intelligence...   

If you're easily offended, stop here and we'll talk next week.

 

Regardless of your ambition in life--whether it be financial success or spiritual formation; both or anything in between--social intelligence is essential to success. Social intelligence measures people's self and social awareness and their interaction with others and their environs. Stay with me, and it'll become clearer. 

 

 

Permit me to proffer a few examples of social intelligence...not so much...

 

Long ago in Bakersfield, California, when Kathy and I first dated, we went to the store to pick up a few things for supper. In front of us was an older fellow (well he seemed older back then), wearing dusty and droopy jeans and a plaid flannel shirt stretched like a worn canopy over an enormous beer gut. His grocery cart bore precisely three items: a cheap bottle of wine with a handy screw-top (no need for any of those pesky, time-consuming corkscrews), a two-pack of plastic, champagne glasses with screw-on stems, and a box of--how shall I say this delicately--"University of Southern California-inspired condominimums."

 

Really?

 

Long ago in Rocklin, California, I awaited a friend at a local Starbucks, looking up from my book at everyone who opened the door. And still I waited. Marsha. I watched as one fellow, a tad older than I, walked in the door, immediately turned to the right, grabbed a New York Times from the pile of fresh papers for sale, and headed for the bathroom. A substantial time passed before he emerged from the bathroom, neatly refolded the copy of the newspaper, returned it to its former place awaiting an unwitting buyer, and left the store without even a token purchase.

 

Really?

 

Long ago in Auburn, California, I tried to maintain my reputation as a well-adjusted human being by regularly visiting my dear friend and stellar chiropractor, Dr. James Greenlee. (I must add, however, he did tend to greet my every complaint with the tired diagnosis, "You're getting old.") I cringe to think about it now, but--early on in our relationship--I always felt a competitive surge if I could "score" the prize parking space right out front by the door. Yes, I beat out the ninety-year old woman with a bad back for the primo parking space. Booyah.

 

Really?

 

Back in the day, it appears to me, prior to the invention of consultants, social intelligence was simply known as "wisdom." And that's a quality essential in business and ministry and everything in between.

 

 

Mightn't social intelligence simply be the wisdom neither to be nor to appear to be self-consumed? I don't know. I'm asking.

 

Can you recall an uncomfortable moment in the days before you developed a measure of social intelligence--a moment that still, in hindsight, makes you cringe? 

 

How do you feel about a competitive spirit? For those of you who have orbited the earth more than most, how have your feelings around a competitive spirit evolved with age? Have they evolved?

 

Why, might you imagine, are some people more socially intelligent than others? What's the learning? Where's the "do-better" place for you? 

 

  

Postscript: Sometimes social intelligence is a matter of being aware of and sensitive to local mores. A couple of nights ago, I brought home pulled pork from one the ubiquitous barbecues in the region. As she packed my barbecue I asked the young lady, "May I buy just a half link of sausage?" She looked at me with curiosity and replied, "You ain't from 'round here are ya?" "It shows?" I laughed. She explained, "If you've got money, we'll sell you whatever you want." Inspired by the invitation, I spied the slightly charred homemade mac and cheese and asked for a half pint. "Mac and cheese?" she questioned, "That's peach cobbler." No, I ain't from 'round here.  

 

Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241  
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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