Free Legal Webinar: Improve Your Emotional Intelligence + Wellbeing

Attorney-turned-therapist Chelsy Castro joined Smokeball for a free legal webinar, “Emotional Intelligence: A Lawyer’s Guide to Improving Well-being in the Workplace and Beyond.” So, what is emotional intelligence, and how does it affect the practice of law? 

Nearly every attorney has heard of the Intelligence Quotient, or IQ. Some probably even know their own IQ number. IQ is a score derived from a set of tests or subtests designed to assess your intelligence against that of your peers. In some circles, it comes with major bragging rights. 

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, measures your ability to recognize your emotions, understand what someone is telling you and realize how your emotions affect others. EQ is an important trait among legal professionals, Castro says, because clients frequently engage a firm at an incredibly stressful point in their lives.  

When you’re going through a contentious divorce, advocating for custody of your children or even purchasing your very first home, you need an attorney who provides not just legal support, but who recognizes when you need extra communication or a shoulder to cry on.  

At the same time, emotional intelligence helps attorneys recognize when they themselves are anxious, depressed or suffering from other mental distress. Every attorney’s mental health affects their ability to practice law, so it’s important to understand when your emotions may be compromised. 

Characteristics of EQ include: 

1. Self-awareness 
2. Self-regulation 
3. Motivation 
4. Empathy 
5. Social skills 

Castro walks through the details of each, and how they help combat anxiety and depression. EQ raises our awareness of, and the reasons for, our own feelings and behaviors; helps us take on another person’s perspective to better understand their feelings and behaviors; and helps us better communicate with others. 

Did you miss our free legal webinar, “Mindfulness Beyond Stress Management: A ‘How-To’ for the Skeptical Lawyer”? Sign up now to watch it any time on-demand. You’ll learn:   

• What Emotional Intelligence is and why it matters 
• The role of Emotional Intelligence in the context of the legal profession 
• How to identify opportunities for practicing skills that increase Emotional Intelligence 
• Tools and techniques to increase your Emotional Intelligence 

Gain personalized support for your firm

See how Smokeball helps you Run Your Best Firm. Schedule your free demo today.