Please watch the following video-clip from 2:56 onward, i.e. as Rajeev Masand asks the question about why partnership of Salim Khan & Javed Akhtar ended. Do watch it once and listen to the conversation attentively before you read on. Of course, you can watch it again after you have read the analysis.
………..
Wow! This is application of ‘Social & Emotional Intelligence (SEI)’ at its best. Well! Before we analyze the conversation in reference to SEI, let me explain in short what ‘Social & Emotional Intelligence’ is:
It is the “Ability to adapt one’s behavior on the basis of awareness of one’s own emotions and attunement with others’ emotions”.
Ok! In the light of this knowledge, now one by one, let’s analyze all instances in the video-clip where SEI gets manifested:
- When Salim Khan admits that it was his failure to act maturely that had led to separation of the duo: This is such an apt application of awareness component of SEI. A person with high SEI observes & analyzes his/her actions and behavior and is comfortable in expressing his emotions clearly.
- When Javed Akhtar touches Khan’s hand while Khan is owning it all up: This is attunement component of SEI at work. Akhtar can feel the sincerity in Khan’s words (i.e. empathy) and uses nonverbal behavior (touch) in a subtle nonintrusive way to express affiliation and affinity.
- When Akhtar acknowledges Khan’s conscientious/generous gesture of admitting his mistake, and then co-owns what had happened: This is application of attunement as well as awareness component of SEI. Akhtar now has dual responsibility. He has to not only show awareness of his own share of mistakes but also has to elevate the self-image of Khan which Khan has generously put at stake. He takes care of it so well.
- When Akhtar brings the discussion to an appropriate end that points towards a larger point and also portrays their combination in a very positive light: This is application of adaptability component of SEI. By bringing a larger point towards the end (through Saahir’s couplet) and by establishing the glory of what they’ve achieved through their erstwhile partnership (by saying that we were the ‘Best’), Akhtar gives a rather fulfilling end to the conversation that does two things – a) It aligns the answer back to the question at hand to maintain relevance b) It preserves Khan’s grace and repute in spite of his admission of his mistake.
Well! This is ‘Social & Emotional intelligence’ – the base of all interpersonal skills – at work. And it is not some talent that is innate, rather it is a skill that can be learnt, practiced and mastered.
Wishing you more learning…
Dr. Sandeep Atre (Founder-Director, Socialigence)
– Online Courses (visit: www.socialigence.net) – Workshops (call: 7223984622)
