An aspect of uncovering your Ikigai is finding that sweet spot where your passion meets your purpose. So far, you’ve explored the power of the mind with the Intellectual Quotient and the resilience of the body with the Adversity Quotient. Now, it’s time to turn our attention to the heart—the Emotional Quotient.

Think of your EQ as the emotional GPS that guides you toward a life of fulfillment. When juggling multiple cultural identities and expectations as third-culture entrepreneurs often do, nurturing your emotional health is the key to balancing these complexities with grace.

As you take back the reins to your emotional health, you can use them to create a life and business aligned with your deepest values, creating a legacy that’s as authentic as it is impactful, inching closer to uncovering your reason for being- your Ikigai.

Emotional Quotient (EQ): The Heart

Having a strong heart keeps you alive, but having a strong EQ makes you feel alive. It’s the secret sauce that turns good leaders into unforgettable ones.

Just like your body needs the right fuel to keep it running, your emotions need the perfect tune-up to keep you leading with empathy and confidence.

Now, everyone knows to get regular wellness check-ups to ensure our heart and body are healthy, but have you checked on your emotional heart recently? If it’s been a while, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This is your guide.

Let’s Grow

Let’s be real: dealing with feelings can be tough. So if you’re the type of person that runs in the complete opposite direction at the mention of emotions- wait, come back! Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Growing your emotional intelligence is like flexing a new muscle; it takes practice, but the results are oh, so worth it. So here’s a tip as you dive in: have a little compassion for yourself along the way. Now let’s work it out!

Start with Self-Reflection: Before doing anything, carve out time to truly get to know yourself. Journal about your daily experiences, noting how you felt and why.
The goal is to expand your emotional vocabulary and recognize patterns in your reactions, so you can understand what makes you tick—and what ticks you off.

The more words you have to describe what you’re feeling, the better you can articulate those emotions to yourself and others!

Listen Actively: Practice putting yourself in others’ shoes by actively listening during conversations—really listening, without planning your next response. Ask open-ended questions and make it a point to understand their perspective.
Over time, this will help you build stronger connections and deepen your emotional understanding.
Embrace the Awkward: Emotions can be messy, and that’s okay. Don’t shy away from those awkward or uncomfortable feelings—lean into them.
Whether it’s addressing a conflict head-on or simply acknowledging a tough day, embracing these moments is how you grow your emotional range and resilience.

Let’s Build

So you’re aware you have emotional superpowers, but can you use them to build yourself as a leader? It’s time to weave your Emotional Quotient into the fabric of your being:

Intuitively Listen: Start your day (or meetings) with quick emotional check-ins—both with yourself and your team. This isn’t just small talk; it’s a way to gauge the emotional pulse and address any undercurrents before they turn into tidal waves.
Think First: It might seem counterintuitive in the fast paced world we live in but pause more frequently. Before you make a call or important decision, pause to consider how it impacts everyone involved.
This approach not only builds trust but also ensures that your decisions are people-first, which is the hallmark of a great leader.
Conflict into Connection: Flip the script on your view of conflict and start looking at it as an opportunity for deeper connection.
Use your EQ to navigate tough conversations with empathy and clarity, turning potential friction into a chance for growth and stronger bonds. Remember: “Vulnerability leads to credibility.”

Let’s Leverage

You’ve got heart, but how much? Use your emotional intelligence to further your personal and professional life by implementing these strategies:

Reflect: Do you remember the last time you looked at the sky? Not just to look at the weather but rather to admire the nature humans get to live in. That is mindfulness. Identify your triggers, moods, and emotional reactions.
Empathy in Action: Okay so you understand yourself, right? But what about others? Learn to speak the language of empathy by stepping into other people’s shoes.
This will not only help you understand where they’re coming from, but it establishes a foundation of trust; and trust is the currency of great leadership.
Relationship Skills: The relationships you have can either build or break you. Ensure that the relationships you have with your team and others are authentic and uplifting.
A lot of times there is more to the surface than noticed, so be the kind of leader people want to follow and lead with both your head and heart.

Your heart is the emotional engine that pumps vitality into every connection you make. Just as a strong heart pumps life throughout your body, a high Emotional Quotient fuels the deep, authentic relationships that form the backbone of extraordinary leadership.

By now, you have a strong engine powering a resilient machine. You know where to go, because your EQ is your internal GPS, guiding you through the complexities of human emotions and pointing you toward meaningful, authentic connections.

But here’s the kicker: even the best GPS needs a charged battery to work. That’s where the Spiritual Quotient comes in- the battery that powers your entire internal guidance system. Without it, your GPS- no matter how advanced- can only take you so far.

In the next part of your journey, you’ll dive into how connecting with your inner purpose charges up your actions and keeps you moving in the right direction. Whereas feeling with the heart guides you, being one at a soul level is where embodying your purpose begins.

For your final piece of uncovering your Ikigai, make sure you are ready to fully charge your GPS. Let’s dive into the Spiritual Quotient and see where it leads you.

Conclude your journey to uncovering your ikigai in Part 4 here.