Quote EQ4U UPDATE – APRIL 2025

April quotes highlight problems of insidious corrupting influences referenced in Matthew Syed’s feature, page 21, 19^th January, Sunday Times. TikTok security risks (the online video platform owned by Chinese Internet company ByteDance) and rapprochement with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) noted in particular. Special attention included to inducements and their capacity to influence judgements and interconnected corporate and political policy decisions. The second quote adapted to be non-gender specific.  

‘Corruption, in foreign policy as in so many other areas, is not a symptom of our problems. Corruption is the problem.’

MATTHEW SYED

‘It is difficult to get a someone to understand something when their salary depends on not understanding it.’

UPTON SINCLAIR

LEADERSHIP – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Words that sound similar but have disparate meanings:

Proscribe – to forbid something as harmful or unlawful

versus

Prescribe – to dictate a rule for others to follow

Allude – to reference something indirectly

versus

Elude – to avoid or escape someone or something

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – MARCH 2025

With the international scenario of Ukraine/Russia negotiations in mind, this month’s quote emphasises the challenge of EQ engagement for both self and others:

‘We cannot stop having emotions any more than we can stop having thoughts. The challenge is learning to stimulate helpful emotions in those with whom we negotiate – and in ourselves.’ 

ROGER FISHER & DANIEL SHAPIRO

MANAGING EMOTIONS – EQ4U

The following is extracted from ‘EQ Checklists’ page 147:

Successful negotiation means agreeing a solution where both parties feel content that there has been a fair balance between what they and the other party have achieved and conceded and feel satisfied with the outcome. Any situation where one of the parties feels that the outcome has resulted in an uneven balance and that he or she has been taken advantage of, is however likely to invoke feelings of resentment and possibly thoughts of retribution in future dealings. So thinking about emotional impact by considering your own and others’ feelings at every stage of the negotiation process and dealing with these appropriately means that you are more likely not only to achieve an outcome that is acceptable to both parties, but that you are more likely to have more productive future transactions.

Links to the section on Negotiation plus main headings and key points below:

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES 

Words associated with principled negotiation/achieving equitable outcomes include:

Conciliate​- to overcome the hostility of/placate/win over/win or gain favour – from Latin conciliare – to bring together /reconcile.

Profundity ​- great depth of insight or knowledge/intensity of a state, quality, or emotion /a statement or idea that shows great knowledge or insight.

Rapprochement​- an establishment or resumption of harmonious/ cordialrelationship between individuals or groups – especially relating to international affairs.

Sedulous ​- showing dedication and diligence.

Expiation​​- atoning /redressing / make amends for.

And words associated with unprincipled negotiation where outcomes are inequitable, including those on the international political stage that have potential for global impact:

Hegemony ​– leadership or dominance , especially by one state or group over others/ being the strongest and most powerful and therefore able to control others/ preponderant influence or authority.

Solipsistic ​​– very self-centred or selfish/ extreme egocentricity

Xenophobia ​– dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries

Rambunctious ​– uncontrollably exuberant, boisterous behaviour.

Ultracrepidate ​– criticize beyond one’s sphere of knowledge/competence purview.

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2025

This month’s theme is the problem of corruption, defined as ‘illegal, bad or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power’. February quotations reference corruption relating to political policies, politicians, and the influence of financial business inducements on benefactors. The following are extracted from Matthew Syed’s feature, page 21 of the Sunday Times, 19th January 2025: ‘The TikTok saga neatly embodies 40 years of being duped by China – There is one reason Trump has reversed his stance on the app: self-interest. This is how we’ve been corrupted’.

‘It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.’
UPTON SINCLAIR

‘Corruption in foreign policy as in so many areas, is not a symptom of our problems. Corruption is the problem.’
MATTHEW SYED

LEADERSHIP – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Terms relating to corruption/reprobative behaviour:

• Malfeasance – wrongful or illegal act, especially by a public official
• Egregious – outstandingly bad / shocking, obviously wrong beyond any reasonable degree
• Pernicious – wicked or malicious/ causing grave harm
• Seditious – inciting rebellion
• Traduce – speak badly of or tell lies to damage reputation
• Opprobrium – public disgrace because of bad behaviour

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – JANUARY 2025

The first quote for New Year 2025 honours the courage of Gisele Pelicot whose insistence on publicity for the rape case brought against her husband Domenique plus the other 51 men who were convicted, prompted her demand for  transference of shame to perpetrators. Nadia Murad, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner’s assertion ‘I don’t want people to see me as a victim’ upholds the need for this change. The second quote reinforces the principle of maintaining resilience and self-esteem in the face of degradation from others.

‘Shame must change sides’

GISELE PELICOT

PHILOSOPHY – EQ4U

‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent’

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

MANAGING EMOTIONS – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Terms that express contrasting aspects of gender bias – both relate to approaches and behaviours contradictory to emotional intelligence/EQ:  

Misogyny – a commonly referenced term meaning hatred or disdain towards women

Misandry  – a less frequently referenced term meaning hatred or disdain towards men.

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – DECEMBER 2024

‘The power of emotions is ignored or underestimated at our peril, not only by political leaders, but by those in any context who misuse their influence over others.’
JAN CHILDS
Ref: LEADERSHIP – EQ4U

The above quote for this month which emphasises the influence of emotional impact is included in narrative I originally wrote for ‘EQ & Political Leadership’, a book which was due to be released earlier this year which for various reasons has not been published. Contributors with in-depth knowledge and experience of the world of political leadership whose interview write-ups form the book’s primary content have however generously agreed to their publication on the EQ4U website. The time and thought they gave to sharing revealing experiences and perceptions of political leadership, teamwork and culture was much appreciated. My thanks also to former MP, Daniel Kawczynski for introductions which enabled me to write the book.  

Both national and international contributors are included, all of whom provide enlightening learning and insights. Core interview questions included: admired leaders; emotional impact on decision making: political establishment culture; views on interdependence; advice to younger self. I hope you find their interview reports an engaging and informative leadership learning resource.

For preface including profiles of interviewees plus links to interview write-ups:      https://eq4u.co.uk/resources/books/eq-and-political-leadership/
 
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
 
Descriptive words with contrasting meanings relating to political leadership follow. The first, a word coined as early as the seventeenth century – with thanks to friend Karen for referencing this.
 
Kakistocracy  – government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state.
 – and its opposite:
Meritocracy – government or the holding of power by people selected according to merit. judgments

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – NOVEMBER 2024

Quotes for November underline the challenge of democratic dilemmas and the ongoing dichotomy between human competence and wisdom:

‘Our democracy cannot survive its current downward drift into tribalism, extremism and seething resentment.’
BILL CLINTON & JAMES PATTERSON

‘We are in a disordered period of rising tensions, but then again, we usually are. Human competence races ahead, but wisdom remains as rare a commodity as it ever was.’
DANIEL YERGIN

Ref: LEADERSHIP – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Opposites of first quote’s negative terms:

• Cosmopolitanism (versus tribalism)
• Moderation (versus extremism)
• Goodwill (versus resentment)

A word (a personal favourite) that encompasses an attribute needed to address theme of 2nd quote:

Sagacity – the quality of having understanding and the ability to make good judgments

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – OCTOBER 2024

October’s theme reflects political profligacy with contemplative quotes for taking a more sagacious approach:

‘The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.’
JOHN F KENNEDY
LEADERSHIP – EQ4U

‘Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.’
CHARLES DICKENS
WELL-BEING – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

One word examples of opposite terms:

Encomium (high praise)
versus
hypercriticism (carping or unduly harsh condemnation)

Meliorism (the belief that the world can be made better by human effort)
versus
Misanthropy (disbelief in the goodness of humankind)

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2024

September’s theme is the influence of emotions on decision making, encapsulated in the following:

‘99% of our decisions – including the most important life choices concerning spouses, careers and habitats – are made by the highly effective algorithms we call sensations, emotions and desires.’
YUVAL NOAH HARARI

‘In a normal business discussion, you are not supposed to allow your emotions to enter in. They enter in anyway – you merely disguise them as logic.’
EDWARD DE BONO

Weblink: MANAGING EMOTIONS – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Regretful – regretful and regretfully are sometimes wrongly used where regrettable and regrettably are meant. A simple way of making the distinction is that when you regret something you have done you are regretful: He gave a regretful smile; he smiled regretfully. In contrast, when you are sorry about an occurrence you did not yourself cause, you view the incident as regrettable: this is a regrettable (not regretful) mistake; regrettably (not regretfully, i.e. because of circumstances beyond my control) I shall be unable to attend.

Reference: Collins Thesaurus A-Z, HarperCollins Publishers, page 843

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – AUGUST 2024

August’s leadership theme highlighting the difference between leadership and management is encapsulated in this month’s quote:

‘Leadership is of the spirit, compounded of personality and vision – its practice is an art. Management is of the mind, more a matter of accurate calculation of statistics, of methods, timetables and routines – its practice is a science. Managers are necessary – Leaders are essential.’
FIELD MARSHALL LORD SLIM

Weblink: LEADERSHIP – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

The following attributes are sequential for emotionally intelligent leadership:
• Attentiveness – playing close attention by listening closely and being observant
• Perspicacity – being acutely perceptive or discerning
• Sagacity – having wisdom in understanding and making judgements

Warmest & best wishes

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – JULY 2024

The imminent UK general election prompts quotes with continued focus on political leadership and character. Critical personal messages for those seeking power are encompassed in the following:
 

‘Character defines the person – it answers the question as to whether this is someone to emulate and with what enthusiasm. Integrity establishes the moral baseline to lead.’
GENERAL SIR RICHARD DANNETT
 
‘Nearly everyone can stand adversity, but if you want to test a person’s character, give them power.’
ABRAHAM LINCOLNWeblink: CHARACTER – EQ4U
(The Abraham Lincoln quote has been degendered to reflect inclusivity)
 
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
 
An apt and inspiring concept word for all humanity:
 
Meliorism – the notion that the world can be improved by human effort.
 
And a word that reflects potential effectiveness or otherwise of election manifesto promises:
 
Meretricious – apparently attractive but having no value.

Warmest & best wishes