She Strengthens

Unlocking the Power of Emotional Intelligence

Do you ever wake up feeling irritable, snappish, and just plain “off”? You’re not alone. We’ve all had those days where our emotions seem to get the better of us, leaving us feeling frustrated and unsure of how to manage our reactions. But what if there was a way to tap into our emotional intelligence, to better understand our emotions and respond to them in a more thoughtful, intentional way?

The Magic of Emotional Wheels

Enter emotional wheels, a powerful tool designed to help us navigate the complex landscape of our emotions. These colorful diagrams may look simple, but they hold the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of ourselves and our emotional responses.

Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions: A Classic

One of the most popular emotional wheels is Robert Plutchik’s flower-shaped diagram, created in 1980. Plutchik believed that emotions serve an evolutionary purpose, driving us to act or behave in ways that promote our survival. His wheel shows how two emotions combine to create a third, and how each opposing emotional pair is linked to a physical reaction. For example, joy and sadness translate to making connections versus withdrawing, while fear and anger translate to keeping quiet/hiding versus standing up/getting louder.

Junto’s Wheel: A Comprehensive Approach

Another popular emotional wheel is the Junto wheel, designed to help companies strengthen the emotional intelligence of their employees. This wheel stands out for its comprehensive approach, listing 108 different emotions and treating “love” as a primary emotion separate from happiness.

The Geneva Wheel: Empirical Insights

The Geneva wheel, created by academics, offers a unique perspective on emotions. It reveals that some emotions are more controllable than others, and provides the option of feeling “no emotions” or “other emotions,” which can be validating for people who experience emotional numbness.

The Feelings Wheel: Identifying Emotions

The Feelings Wheel, designed by Roberts, is another popular tool for identifying and managing emotions. With 130 total emotions listed, it provides a comprehensive framework for recognizing and working through negative emotions.

How to Use Emotional Wheels in Your Life

So, how can you harness the power of emotional wheels in your daily life? Here are a few tips:

• Label your emotions: Use an emotional wheel to identify what you’re feeling, whether it’s frustration, anxiety, or joy.
• Manage your reactions: With greater clarity around your emotions, you’ll be better equipped to respond in a more thoughtful, intentional way.
• Communicate what you’re feeling: Share your emotions with others, using the language and insights gained from the emotional wheel.

What Emotional Wheels Can’t Do

While emotional wheels are a powerful tool, they’re not a magic bullet. Remember that emotions are highly personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. Don’t try to use emotional wheels to psychoanalyze those around you, and be gentle with yourself as you explore your own emotions.

By embracing the power of emotional wheels, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotions, leading to more thoughtful, intentional relationships and a greater sense of emotional intelligence.