Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand and manage our own emotions and to recognise, understand and influence the emotions of others.
“In practical terms, this means being aware that emotions can drive our behaviour and impact people both positively and negatively. Learning how to manage those emotions, especially when we're under pressure, is key to working effectively together,” said Kerrie Robertson, Executive Manager, Organisational Development.
Meaningful Conversations is one of a number of online learning programs planned for release over the next 12 months to enhance the capability of our people. The program comprises eight modules:
- Emotionally intelligent conversations
- Knowing yourself and your impact
- Managing our own behaviours
- Understanding the needs of others
- Building connections with others
- Challenging conversations
- Building emotional resilience
- The power of feedback
Each module takes around 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed as standalone learning resources - you can complete as many or as few modules as you like. All modules have an accompanying workbook which provides self-paced activities, links to further resources, a reflective learning journal and an action plan template to help you put your learning into practice.
While many of CFA’s learning and development programs focus on face-to-face delivery, online learning is an important part of a contemporary, blended learning approach. It provides content to learners when they want it; reduces the time spent learning and can be more effective because it makes it easy to digest and absorb information.
As a passionate advocate for CFA’s Learning Hub, Gregg Paterson, DCO Training, is keen to increase the digital learning content available to all CFA staff and volunteers.
“Our Learning Hub improves the ability for all of our people to enhance their capability by providing an opportunity to build knowledge in a range of topics at a time and place that best suits them,” he said.
The Learning Hub is available through the CFA intranet and Brigades Online and can be accessed by all CFA staff and volunteers with an internet-connected computer, tablet or smartphone.
To access the Meaningful Conversations program:
Step 1. Log in to the Learning Hub through the CFA intranet or Brigades Online.
Step 2. From the Catalogues tab, select Professional Development and click on Meaningful Conversations.
Step 3. Click on Enrol - you will then be taken to the Meaningful Conversations landing page where you can select the module(s) that you’d like to complete.