How Socially Intelligent Are You?

SOCIAL Intelligence in its simplicity is about our ability to get on with other people, but there are complex theories behind this skill involving how our brains work. The brain seeks out patterns and categorises everything. As human beings, we naturally want to belong to a group. When you belong to a group you are regarded as a human by your membership in the group, but if you are not part of the group, you may be seen as an object.

The research suggests that we treat people in our own groups much better than we treat people who are not in our groups. We forgive people in our groups more readily for their mistakes. We reward people in our groups more fully for their accomplishments and we more readily share and respond to the emotions of people in our own groups. Furthermore, we believe our groups are more deserving of resources and that our groups are more virtuous than others.

The theory actually explains racism and tribalism: that another group would view another human being with such detest shows that they view them as objects not human beings. I recently watched an experiment of a man disguised as a beggar on a busy high street, who was dressed down and nobody stopped to pay attention to him. But the same man was dressed in a tie and suit and was slouching on the pavement and almost everyone that passed by went to him to see if he was okay.

Do you know that a popular store in America will be closing its entire 8000 stores for racial bias training, after an incident where two black men were arrested by police because staff thought they were trespassing? An awareness of social intelligence is what is required so that staffs do not treat customers outside their group as a threat. About Author:

Riri Okoye is an international marketing consultant dedicated to helping SME’S grow. She delivers a highly successful series tagged High Business Growth Workshops. She also consults privately for clients and individuals. With over 20 years in various marketing sectors in London and Lagos, working with some of the best organisations and clients in the world, she can help you strategically grow your business for success using effective marketing methods. She can be reached at rita@majesticallyrare.com