why you should do it
Interpersonal competence is multi-dimensional; it involves being able to facilitate collaborative sustainability research and problem solving, while also embracing diversity across cultures, social groups, communities, and individuals. For sustainability professionals to be able to generate sustainable opportunities and overcome adversity, stakeholder collaboration and negotiation from a variety of interdisciplinary positions (community leaders, businesses, farmers, politicians) must occur. The sustainability professional must possess well-developed skills in communicating, negotiating, collaborating, leadership and empathy. Intra- and inter- personal competencies depend on one another.
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observation profile
What it is, How to do it,
Why you should do it, & Why we know
Why we know
Located deep inside of your cerebral cortex is a small region of the brain called the insula. The insula is responsible for facilitating our self-awareness. This includes awareness of our bodies and emotions, and how they interact to create our perception in the present moment. A study conducted by Critchley, Weins, Rotshtein, Ohman, & Dolan in 2004 found that self-awareness increased when people participated in a mindfulness-based stress-reduction course focused on momentary reaction (compared with individuals who had not practiced mindfulness). Participants in the study were able to identify and recognize their feelings and bodily responses to strong emotional events more completely, accurately, and immediately than non-meditators. An increased awareness of the body’s emotional response to stimulus is a precondition for being able to regulate emotions and is pertinent for refining and developing self-awareness.
competencies depend on one another. Intrapersonal competence involves self-management and the ability to regulate your own behavior and emotions to reach goals. Sustainability professionals will be better at understanding diverse perspectives, preferences, and emotions when they understand their own. Therefore, intrapersonal skills like self-awareness, open mindedness, self-confidence, and observation are foundational for stakeholder engagement and collaborative teamwork.