Equal Opportunity & Sensitivity Training CPT MEIER

Training Focus Leaders need to be cognizant of the impact their actions have on their audience.

Agenda Training Goal Regulatory Guidance Definitions Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Summary

Training Goal Train on Equal Opportunity IAW AR , emphasize the Army’s goal Train on Sensitivity, per the CTG, emphasis on professionalism Emphasize Leadership Values and development IAW AR

AR , Army Command Policy Goal: formulate, direct and sustain a comprehensive effort to maximize human potential. EO philosophy is based on fairness, justice and equity. Emphasis on: teamwork, mutual respect, loyalty, and shared sacrifice of the men and women of America’s Army.

CTG, Command Training Guidance, dtd Oct 02 Sensitivity training is a mandatory annual training requirement for all investigative personnel to emphasize the importance of compassion, tact and empathy in delicate situations. While this pertains to investigative personnel, the art of diplomacy, should be emphasized to all leaders.

AR , Army Leadership Four individual values identified to strengthen and support the ethical code: commitment, competence, candor and courage. Competence is proficiency in required professional knowledge, skills and attitude.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman Mr Goleman maintains that to be successful (both personally and professionally) an individual must be emotionally intelligent, which includes self-awareness, impulse control, persistence, zeal, self-motivation, empathy and social deftness.

Emotional Intelligence (cont) Mr Goleman maintains these qualities are the hallmarks of character, self- discipline, of altruism and compassion – basic capacities needed in our society to thrive. Two of the most important characteristics are self-awareness and empathy.

Self-Awareness Self-awareness, “know thyself,” is an awareness of one’s own feelings as they occur. An on-going attention to one’s own internal state. Awareness of emotions is the fundamental base on which to build emotional control and empathy.

Empathy Empathy builds on self-awareness; the more we are aware of our own emotions, the more skilled we are in reading the feelings of others. Leaders who have no idea what they feel themselves, are at a complete loss to identify with anyone else’s feelings. They are emotionally tone-deaf.

Empathy (cont) The key to intuiting another’s feelings is in the ability to read non-verbal channels: tone of voice, gesture, facial expression.

Summary Successful leaders are self-aware and as such have the ability to control themselves and empathize with others. The ability to make others feel comfortable in awkward situations is a true art.