Lifestyle

The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence In The Workplace

Published

6 years ago

December 30, 2019

There are five key elements of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. Awareness and practice of each element combined will make our daily lives in and out of the workplace much more enjoyable. We go through many emotions throughout our day. Being mindful of these emotions and turning the negative ones positive will keep us motivated. We do our best work and is most approachable and enjoyable when we are comfortable.

Self-Awareness

The first element of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. This is the ability to recognize and understand both the positive and negative feelings you encounter. Being able to recognize your emotions will allow you to analyze how you feel in certain situations and later allow you to control those emotions in certain situations. This is especially important in negative situations when hot emotions will cause you to make rushed decisions and say things you do not fully mean and cannot take back.

You go through many emotions on a day to day basis. Take a regular work day for example. You wake up feeling like you are ready for the day or ready to go back to sleep. This can be the determining factor of how you may feel the rest of the day. For the next couple of days, notice how you feel when you first wake up in the morning for work. Are you excited to see what challenges you will resolve today or are you dreading the thought of stepping into the office? If you are excited, congratulations! This means that you are enjoying your work and feel a sense of pride about what you are doing. If you are dreading going to work, pause for a second. Why are you not looking forward to your day? Is it because of your coworkers? Managers? Or is it because you do not enjoy the work you are doing? Evaluate why you are not looking forward to your work day. Figure out if it is something you can change, how you can change the situation, and go from here.

Self-regulation

After being self-aware of your emotions, you can begin self-regulating them. Self-regulation of your emotions is the ability to control the emotions, especially in high-stress situations. This will help with lashing out impulsively when in stressful situations.

An example that ties in with self-awareness at work is how you respond to certain people. Are you responding to certain people in a more negative way than others? This is an important thing to recognize. The person you are responding to negatively is picking up your negative energy much faster than you are recognizing it yourself. Take a moment to notice when you feel more worked up when talking to a specific person. Figure out why that is the case. It may be something they said once that is stuck in the back of your brain. Figure out what it is and determine if it is worth holding a grudge. In most cases, nothing is worth holding a grudge. The only person it is affecting is yourself. After you have determined why you speak to this person in a negative way, let yourself know it is not worth having tense at work and let it go. You are with your coworkers more than you are with your friends so why not be happy when you are at work.

Motivation

There will always be days when we feel unmotivated to crawl out of bed let alone do anything productive. Sometimes the lack of motivation comes from something as simple as lack of sleep or as complicated as lack of passion. Go to bed earlier! More sleep cannot hurt. Lack of passion can be fixed. Often time, many life elements plays a role into whether we can change what we are doing out of necessity into doing what we want to do out of passion. Being self-aware of why we are lacking the motivation is the first step in getting motivated, however, we do not always have to do it alone.

We interact with many different people in our daily lives – family, close friends, coworkers, random person on the same train as us every day. Every one of those people could use a boost of motivation from time to time. In the workplace, whether you are a manager or team member, it is undoubtedly recognizable when someone is lacking the motivation. They are your work family. You see your coworkers more than you see your actual family so a shift in behavior or attitude is easy to pick up. When you notice these shifts, if it is a negative shift, consider what might be the cause. If it is something work related? How can you support or work with them to help? As a manager, are you listening to your team? Is someone feeling burnt out? Is there something in the business process that can be improved? Improving all of these things will improve the morale of your team and motivate them produce more high quality products.

Empathy

The other elements that we have discussed so far were about recognizing and understanding our own emotions. Empathy is different. Empathy is being able to recognize and understand the emotions of others. It is often time easier to recognize the emotions of someone else, especially if it is a negative emotions. You just have to pay attention. This ties in with self-regulation when we talked about others being able to pick up on the energy we give them. Although it is easy to pick up the emotions of others, it is important to consider why they are feeling that way.

When others are feeling positively, it is something to enjoy. If they are feeling extra enthusiastic or high in energy, maybe something exciting is going on in their lives. Maybe they’re about to go on a dream trip and is looking forward to it. Feeling the positive emotions of another person will feed our emotions positively. Ask that person what is making them so excited today. You might have just discovered something fun to talk and bond about.

Now for the not so fun emotions. Negative emotions are more difficult to control. We feel our blood boiling, the looks in our eyes changes and our body language may become aggressive. Most people will stay far away from people they see are showing signs of negative emotions. Why? Simple. Because we ourselves do not like to feel negatively and do not want others negative emotions rubbing off on us. However, stop and consider how you feel when you are upset. At first you may not want to be disturbed by anyone but you should know that holding in negative feelings for a long time is not healthy for yourself or anyone around you. Sometimes, people just needs one caring person to take them aside and ask if they are okay.

The answer could be simple. They may have just had a bad start to their day. Spilled coffee for example. Other times, they may be going through a difficult situation in their personal lives that is spilling into how they feel at work. These situations are more difficult to help with but knowing that will allow you to be more empathetic when they respond harshly to a question you ask or seem spaced out.

The situations we have just talked about were seeing a higher level of energy – positive or negative – different than their everyday level. Another thing to consider is culture or personality traits. Someone’s culture is a big factor in how they preserve a situations and how they will handle it. Personality traits such as introverts vs extroverts will also react differently to the same situation. Do a quick search for personality tests online and see what you are. Most people are close to the middle. Someone who is introverted, may preserve an extroverted reaction as extreme. Understanding and educating ourselves about our personality traits and what others are will help the us understand how to react in certain situations and with certain people so that everyone feels comfortable.

Social Skills

Understanding all of the above elements, recognizing when we feel certain ways, controlling those emotions in negative situations, motivating ourselves and others to be in a positive mind set and understanding the emotions of those around us, will improve our social skills. Another way of improving our social skills is being able to read the situation, social cues and body language. But keep in mind, body language and cues could mean different things in different cultures. Take eye contact for exam. In one culture, strong eye contact shows confidence and respect while in another culture, it is seen as trying to intimidate.

Related Topics:featured lifestyle mental health

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Top Marketing Podcasts for 2025 You Should Be Following Today

Published

1 month ago

October 17, 2025

Skylar Lee

Being a marketer means constantly being on the lookout for the latest in marketing trends and news. You’ll be surprised how fast trends come and go, along with the tools that you commonly use for your campaigns. If you’re looking for a trend that never goes out of style, it’s podcasting. Here are the top marketing podcasts to tune in to in 2025:

1. Marketing School

Marketing School is hosted by one of the famous names in the marketing industry: Neil Patel. Eric Siu is also another popular figure hosting the show. They update listeners on the newest marketing and SEO trends and information. Plus, they interview content creators and marketers to share their marketing secrets and tips to achieve their goals. It’s a great starter podcast for new marketers in the field. Listen to the famous hosts every day!

2. Social Media Marketing Podcast

The Social Media Marketing Podcast should be your go-to podcast if you’re focused on social media marketing. Listen to Michael Stelzner weekly to get the best tips on marketing on social media with the latest tech and trends. If you’re also running out of content ideas, the podcast host also provides tips and insights to help you get started on new strategies. Plus, he interviews marketers and business leaders on how they achieved success with social media marketing.

3. The WARC Podcast

The WARC Podcast delivers marketing insights to help you know the latest in marketing for the week. You’ll learn what marketing challenges marketers overcame. Listen to them twice a week for recent trends, interviews, and event recaps.

4. Duct Tape Marketing

Another big name in the marketing sphere is Duct Tape Marketing, which made an impact in 2005. Listen to John Janstch three times a week to listen to interviews with small business owners and marketers, and how they grew their businesses through marketing strategies. Don’t miss out on the trends and tips to supercharge your marketing.

5. Perpetual Traffic

If you want tips from expert marketers Ralph Burns and Kasim Aslam, listen to Perpetual Traffic! They specialize in paid traffic tips to help you increase sales and leads! Expect interviews from various experts in different niches. You can also get insights from case studies to help you grow your business. Listen to them twice a week!

6. The Digital Marketing Podcast

Do you want to be updated on everything digital marketing? The Digital Marketing Podcast is the best podcast to listen to. Know the latest news, updates, stats, and future of marketing. The hosts also discuss current tech trends in marketing to grow your business. Listen to the hosts twice a week!

7. The Affiliate Guy

Are you an affiliate marketer and need expert advice and the latest updates on affiliate marketing? You should listen to The Affiliate Guy. Hosted by Matt McWilliams, he has trained over 320,000 affiliates.

Think of The Affiliate Guy’s podcasts as engaging audio versions of How-To blogs. Additionally, he interviews entrepreneurs and leaders. Plus, he also references case studies to help you understand how they achieved their goals.

8. Marketing Trends

The very apt Marketing Trends podcast updates you weekly with new information and insights about marketing! You can listen to CEOs, CMOs, and other thought leaders share best practices and strategies to grow the biggest brands! Know how you can grow as a leader or an ambitious marketer when you get the latest tips for achieving success.

9. Stand The F*ck Out™

Are you tired of hearing or reading the same marketing tip or trend and don’t want to use that strategy anymore? Stand The F*ck Out™ gets straight to the point and doesn’t dilly dally when discussing marketing. Louis Grenier hosts the show and provides evergreen topics. You also get to hear from experienced marketers how their teams executed strategies and got the desired results. Listen to this podcast weekly.

10. Social Pros Podcast

Are you interested in learning how social media marketers execute their campaigns for big brands? The Social Pros Podcast should be on your radar. Jay and Adam host the show, which you can listen to weekly. Not only do they discuss recent trends and strategies, but they also discuss team management and other personal conversations on being a marketer.

11. Marketing Over Coffee

Do you prefer listening to podcasts in the morning during breakfast? Why not listen to Marketing Over Coffee on the side while enjoying a hearty morning meal? Like other podcasts, you’ll hear the latest tech trends like AI and improved marketing tools. Plus, get insights from the experts like Seth Godin, Rand Fishkin, and Ann Handley! Episodes come out weekly!

Lifestyle

What the Hell Was Magic Dirt? The Black Oxygen Organics Hoax

Published

2 months ago

September 11, 2025

Scarlett Holiday

It has been years since we experienced the bizarre that was the pandemic, and yet, shady schemes still abound in the form of MLM (multilevel marketing) related to it. If you’ve ever heard or seen Magic Dirt, you’re not alone in wondering what it is all about.

While we’re now in the era of AI breakthroughs, space tourism, and wearable brain tech, some people still seem to be stuck in the horrid past. Sellers are peddling literal dirt as a miracle health product. Promoted mainly by anti-vax influencers and conspiracy circles, this dirt they call “wellness solution” was sold with pseudoscience, fear tactics, and a generous dose of misinformation.

And yes, it was an MLM. Because of course it was.

Here’s the breakdown of the Magic Dirt controversy—just one of many reasons why multi-level marketing schemes continue to be a red flag for anyone with a functioning sense of skepticism.

Planting The Seeds

It all began in May of 2021 when we were finally getting into the rhythm of our “new normal.” Of course, health was a significant topic of discussion in the media. It’s no surprise that many alternative medicines are gaining popularity on social media. It was during this month that a peculiar brand emerged on the scene. Depictions began circulating with smiling women slathering black mud on their faces, drinking jars of black liquid, and placing their babies’ feet in a tub of black water.

In the captions, they listed the numerous benefits of using this new “magic dirt.” And of course, the benefits varied from person to person. You might read one post that credits the dirt with curing her child’s low energy and constipation. Then you might scroll on to read another post claiming that it rejuvenates the skin while calming anxiety.

One thing these posts had in common was that they contained the hashtag #BOO while providing a shoutout to the company Black Oxygen Organics.

So, what does Black Oxgen Organics have to say about their “magic dirt”? As a brand, they described their product as,

“the end product and smallest particle of the decomposition of ancient, organic matter.”

Yeah, it’s purposely vague. In short, Magic Dirt is supposed to be a form of fulvic acid. This is a compound derived from the decayed plants of an Ontario peat bog. Sounds super rejuvenating, right?

To be fair, fulvic acid is shown to help with allergies and gastrointestinal function. But as with your average MLM, Black Magic Organics has exaggerated these benefits to the tenth power. They’ve taken these benefits and used them to sell 4.5 ounces of literal dirt, sealed in a fancy black bag and stamped with a $110 price tag. And if that didn’t feel like a slap in the face already, this stuff didn’t even come with free shipping!

Magic Dirt is claimed to be safe for anyone of any age. This includes your children and your pets. It’s been said to help heart health, brain function, and pretty much every common health problem in the world.

Of course, with it being 2021 and all, it started getting sent around to anti-vax and COVID-sceptical groups. Instead of seeking treatment for a deadly virus, people were mixing mud into their smoothies and calling it a day.

The Immediate Downfall

As Instagrammers and TikTokers promoted this “cure-all” product, an alarming number of women were eager to become direct sellers. For many, this company was their first introduction to the notorious Multi-Level-Marketing schemes.

That is, until the professionals got involved. You see, Magic Dirt was not at all FDA approved. And when health regulators from the U.S. and Canada became aware of its popularity, they conducted an investigation. They called for multiple product holds at the border, which in turn gave rise to an army of online skeptics.

And in typical MLM fashion, Black Oxygen Organics took their money and ran for the hills. Only about six months after its initial success, the company announced that it was officially shutting down. This sparked a significant backlash from online sellers. They grieved the end of miracle supplements, while also petitioning to recover the thousands they had invested in direct selling.

Unfortunately, most victims of these schemes will likely never recover their money.

The fact of the matter is that Black Oxygen Organics and similar companies are based on a scam. Period. That’s what everyone needs to remember, so they can avoid making the same mistakes as so many others. Always be vigilant for predatory companies.

Lifestyle

These Anti-MLM Communities Are Saving People from Scams

Published

4 months ago

July 31, 2025

Scarlett Holiday

Have you ever stumbled upon an MLM online community? If your answer is no, you’re lucky. But if you did, you’d know that they can be a breeding ground for toxicity. Fortunately for some, a new wave of anti-MLM communities has emerged and is giving the much-needed breath of fresh air.

These communities include people who use their platforms to warn us about these dangerous schemes. They also provide a support system for those who are still enmeshed in it and trying to find a way out.

If you’re one of the unlucky ones trying to escape or are just curious, check out these four anti-MLM communities that are saving people from scams.

r/antiMLM

I just love Reddit. It provides a window into just about any subculture, no matter how obscure, and connects you with like-minded people from around the globe. It’s honestly the easiest place to find communities with shared interests.

r/antiMLM is just one of the many communities Reddit has to offer. People will post discussions, pictures, and screenshots showcasing the horror of MLMs. The content ranges from lighthearted and funny, to downright sad. Either way, everyone here has the same idea: MLMs are harmful and predatory. Should anyone come across this subreddit, they’ll be way less likely to fall for a pyramid scheme. And by subscribing to said subreddit, they are nearly eliminating all possibilities of going anywhere near an MLM. Subscribers of r/antiMLM are familiar with popular MLM companies, their tactics, and the red flags within the direct marketing industry. They are quicker to identify this type of scam.

The Anti-MLM Coalition

This website is an absolute GODSEND. The Anti-MLM Coalition is an incredible organization filled with educational materials and various resources. You can tell from the homepage alone that they mean business.

The menu bar provides 8 main website pages. The “Homepage “is filled with their latest articles and a search bar to navigate. “MLM Master List” is exactly what it sounds like: a list of all the known MLM companies in existence. The “MLM or Not?” page brings users to a long article detailing how to spot your typical pyramid scheme.

“Get Help” is a page filled with helpful information. It’s for people who have a loved one trapped in an MLM, or people who wanna take action against these companies. Each link leads to a detailed article on the subject.

The “Resources” page is a shoutout to various authors, YouTubers, and documentaries. It helps anyone who’s trying to do further research. They have a page dedicated to a very shareable infographic; a great tactic to spread the word around fast.

The “Activism” page provides a guideline on where and how to take action. They recommend printing cards, reporting, and exposing MLM corporations on social media. The more buzz, the better.

And of course, they have a “Contact” page in case you need to get in touch.

MLM Lies Exposed

Looking for more places to discuss your anti-MLM sentiments? Or just looking for general help without the hassle? Well, here’s the biggest anti-MLM Facebook group. MLM Lies Exposed is an invite-only community with over 30,000 members. It’s a lot like r/antiMLM, in that you can post things involving the false promises and skeevy behavior behind MLMs. I’d recommend this page to anyone who’s more familiar with Facebook or finds it easier to navigate than Reddit.

Anti- MLM Youtube

Now, hear me out. This is not an official community, but if you’re a regular on YouTube, you’ll know that there are different genres of videos. And each of these genres has garnered its own distinct communities.

They’re kinda like cliques. You’ve got gamer bro YouTubers at one table, and you’ve got beauty influencers at another table. You’ve got commentary YouTubers sitting somewhere near the true crime YouTubers and the podcast channels. Somewhere in the corner, you’ve got the anti-MLM spaces. These YouTubers dedicate their channels to spreading awareness about MLMs and other shady corporate behavior.

Popular YouTube channels include Hannah Alonzo, iilluminaughtii, NOT THE GOOD GIRL, and Kiki Chanel

MLM companies often pretend to be a revolutionary force changing the world and their own lives. In truth, they’re just making their distributors continue a cycle of unhappiness and financial ruin. These are the communities that help people who’ve been duped by these false hopes to move on with their lives.