My EQ

Expert Guide

Productive Behaviours Associated with this Dimension 

Reflective 
Careful 
Risk Averse 
Cautious 
Prudent 
Thorough 
Vigilant 
Restrained 
Circumspect 

Counterproductive Behaviours Associated with Excesses of this Dimension 

Dour 
Overthink 
Unadabtable 
Indecisive 
Pessimistic 
Cynical 

Coaching and Self - Development Guidelines 

You tend to be careful, cautious and risk – averse. you likes to think things through carefully before proceeding forwards with a decision or course of action. Your plans will be well thought through and you may have a knack for identifying pitfalls or for understanding why things may not work. you can play a valuable role in managing risk and in ensuring that undesirable consequences are avoided.

However, high scorers may also be inclined to be pessimistic and overcautious. They may focus excessively on why things may not work and be reluctant to try out things just because they identify potential pitfalls. Rather than create solutions to problems or potential downsides, they will see these as insurmountable obstacles and as a result “never get out of the starting blocks”. They may also be excessively reflective and tend to over – think things and as a result get little done. They may be too risk averse and avoid taking well-judged gambles and as a result may forego good opportunities. They can also be experienced as being “wet blankets” who pour cold water on ideas and who act as a drag on the enthusiasm and optimism of others. Because they are attuned to potential downsides and pitfalls they can also be indecisive. Due to their tendency to act slowly and think deeply others can perceive them as being unwilling to communicate or to commit to a course of action. They can also be perceived as being unadaptable and as people who impact negatively on morale. 

High Scorers also tend to have a default “No but”, or a “It won’t work” or “What are the pitfalls” mentality. When confronted with a problem begin your thought processes with “Yes And” instead of “No But”. This will force you to think in terms of solutions rather than problems. When you identifies pitfalls, try to create at least five solutions to each of them. Get into the habit of identifying at least one opportunity as a counter to the pitfall. When discussing problems or potential solutions to them, preface or begin your thinking and statements with “It will work because…” It can also be helpful to give yourself a limited time to come up with proposals or to deal with problems. The time constraints will limit the extent to which you can engage in problem focused thinking.

If you achieved an above average score on Pessimism and especially if you achieved a high score, you may need to to learn to tone down your serious side. A good first step is be more aware of the benefits of optimism and the cost of pessimism. Please read the Expert Article web article Optimism the Hidden Asset. You may also be too inward looking and too focused on your own thought processes. Please read the Expert Article Overcoming Pessimistic Thinking. They are at the end of this discussion.

Learn to set up positive feedback mechanisms for yourself. The articles on Thought Awareness, Rational Thinking and Positive Thinking will help you to do this. A simple daily task of keeping a pocket diary and each day writing down 10 things that went right with him you work and 1 thing you like about each colleague can go a long way to help you to recalibrate your mind set. Complete the quiz in the article Are you a Positive or Negative Thinker. This can increase your self-awareness which is the first step towards change.

Reflect on the affect your natural pessimism may have on others. Articles such as the Manager’s Mood, Managing Team Negativity and Rebuilding Team Morale can be useful in this regard.  

Key Coaching Points: 

Reflect on the drawbacks to pessimism. Try to become more aware of when you are pessimistic. Learn to preface your thinking with statements like “Yes And” “Can do” “It will work because…” Try to become aware of the effect of pessimism on others. Learn to focus on solutions rather than on problems 

Target Behaviours 

Think “Can Do” 
Focus on Solutions 
Focus on opportunities 
Find the positive 
Take calculated risks 
Generate enthusiasm 
Build Morale 

Recommended Development Actions 

Implementing the following development actions can help you to reduce the counterproductive associated with this trait.

1. Do the Increase Self Awareness and Insight Exercise - Time Frame  1 Week 
2. Master at least 4 of the Expert Articles Time Frame 2 Weeks
3. Do at least 2 EQ Workouts Time Frame 2 Weeks

Work through the following articles on the Mindtools Website:

Optimism the Hidden Asset
Overcoming Pessimistic Thinking
Are you a Positive or Negative Thinkker
A Leader’s Mood