In a world where the boundaries between technology and human interactions are increasingly blurred, many are asking: “Do we need emotional intelligence in the era of artificial intelligence?” Ivica Vrančić, Management Development Consultant and owner of Verantius, will discuss this and many other intriguing and valuable topics at HR.Weekend. This renowned expert in leadership, teamwork, and people management is coming to Rovinj to reveal the secrets of successful people management, where emotional intelligence is undeniably crucial.
Self-awareness
As a personal trainer and coach for many Boards, executives, and senior managers, Ivica Vrančić has worked with some of today’s top business leaders. Although it was challenging for him to single out just one characteristic every team leader should have, Vrančić reveals that understanding oneself is the first step toward success.
“Key elements in creating relationships are understanding oneself, understanding others, and managing one’s own behavior,” Vrančić stated, adding that it all starts with and depends on self-awareness as the space for the deepest, most complex, and never-ending development.
Education and practical work
Numerous diplomas and certificates show that this expert values knowledge, dedicated work, and effort. Besides completing a postgraduate program in Human Resources Management at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in London, Europe’s leading HR institution, Vrančić holds various certifications and has furthered his education at business and educational institutions across Europe.
When asked whether he believes education is key to progress or if knowledge can be gained through “practical work,” he responds: “If we start from the idea that development occurs when behavioral change happens (not just knowledge change), then without practice and repetition, no skill development is possible. Also, the neurophysiological basis of new behavior is neural loops, which form and develop through practice and repetition. However, as rational beings (homo sapiens), our understanding is also significant in acquiring new knowledge and skills. Therefore, I believe that a winning combination is top-notch education and dedicated practice, which results in the highest quality development.”
Leadership as a skill?
Top-notch education and dedicated practice are the secrets to the success of many business leaders. You have likely heard the saying, “Leaders are made, not born,” and Ivica Vrančić reveals that there is truth to this. “Leadership is a skill, and like any skill, we all have varying talents for it, but there is also room for development. Elite sports are a great example: talent is beneficial, but without hard work on skill development, we won’t reach our maximum potential. I believe every person has enough prerequisites to become at least a solid leader, but experience tells me that only a small number of people truly invest effort in developing leadership as a skill,” Vrančić emphasizes.
Development of emotional intelligence
Another skill into which many invest little effort is emotional intelligence. Although we can debate how developed someone’s emotional intelligence is, the fact remains that we all possess it to some extent, and those with more developed emotional intelligence have proven to have better relationships with others. “Numerous studies and daily practice show that people with higher emotional intelligence generally have better relationships with others. We can improve our relationships by developing emotional intelligence due to the plasticity of our brains, and the potential for developing emotional intelligence is one of the differences from ‘ordinary’ cognitive intelligence, which we can hardly influence developmentally after a certain age,” Vrančić points out.
Do we need emotional intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence?
Can we develop emotional intelligence in AI? In a world where robots are gradually taking on service roles such as waiters and taxi drivers, many wonder: “Will they replace the ‘human touch’?” and “Will we still need emotional intelligence in an AI-driven world?” Such a future concerns expert.
“Personally, I would never want that to happen. Rationally and professionally, it’s difficult for me to provide an answer because I don’t fully understand the technology,” Vrančić says, adding, “the moment technology manages to create and control not only mathematical algorithms but also chemical processes and thus ‘simulate’ the chemical processes related to neurochemical processes in the brain, producing and distributing hormones, it will come closer to our emotional reactions.”
In conclusion, Vrančić highlights that we need emotional intelligence more than ever because technology has distanced us from each other and made us less “emotionally intelligent.” Learn more about the concerning trend of emotional apathy, how to lead people with emotional intelligence, and the characteristics of a good leader at HR.Weekend.
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