The Urgent Need For EI In Education

This episode of EI at Work delves into the tumultuous landscape of the education sector with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) facing dire challenges, particularly in the United States. The impact is profound, with legislation changes, peaceful protests turning volatile, and students becoming increasingly disconnected amidst the Covid19 pandemic and rapid technological growth.  

Joined by Genos Certified Practitioner and director of DEI at Hotchkiss school in Lakeville Connecticut,  Daymyen Layne delves into the transformative power of emotional intelligence to navigate these turbulent times. He is at the forefront of nurturing a diverse range of students to be responsible global citizens. He emphasises the importance of empathy and cultural competence, aiming to prepare students for inclusive leadership roles in the future. 

In navigating student activism, Daymyen advocates for emotionally intelligent responses, supporting students’ voices and contributions to societal change rather than punitive measures. This approach fosters a nurturing environment that encourages young people to engage in meaningful activism. 

The episode explores technology’s impact on interpersonal interactions, emphasising the increasing importance of maintaining human-to-human connections.  

Plus you’ll learn why Daymyen dedicated his career to “changing minds to make change” and what sparked his curiosity about human connection, empathy and emotional intelligence.  

In this episode, learn: 

[03:54] about Daymyen’s personal journey and exposure to emotional intelligence within the education sector. 

[09:35] about the growth of diversity and inclusion roles in schools, particularly at the boarding school level. 

[13:00] more about the challenges and backlash faced by diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, particularly in the US. 

[14:04] about the role of emotional intelligence and the shift in focus towards instilling emotional intelligence skills in students early on.  

[18:30] about the challenges and fear faced by educators in the current climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

[23:31] what an emotionally intelligent response from a university would look like in practical terms. 

[26:31] the pivotal role of young people in historical movements and the importance of supporting student activism.  

[27:52] how to use emotionally intelligent responses to support student protests and the need to provide resources and guidance. 

[29:31] about the concerns about the incapacity of adults to engage in meaningful dialogue and facilitate collective understanding. 

[30:34] about the need for active listening, intercultural communication, and creating space for students to engage in constructive conversations. 

[34:18] about the impact of reduced interpersonal interaction due to the pandemic on students’ emotional intelligence and the role of boarding schools in fostering emotional intelligence. 

[39:23] the importance of enhancing emotional intelligence among faculty and staff, including training on emotional reasoning and dealing with challenging student situations. 

[42:08] about the application of emotional intelligence across various sectors, emphasising the importance of emotional reasoning in decision-making in leadership.