Thanksgiving in an American family, in the United States

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in some countries around the world, mainly in North America: Canada, the United States, but also in Liberia. It takes place on different dates in different countries. The most important celebration is the American version, as it is celebrated and expected by the whole population.

A historical origin

Thanksgiving dates back to the autumn of 1621, when it was decided to celebrate the first harvest in Plymouth. These harvests would ensure the future of the colony.

English dissenters had disembarked from the Mayflower the previous winter. These Pilgrim Fathers founded the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The first winter was terrible. Scurvy, cold and hunger killed half of them.

In the spring, Indians from the Wampanoag tribe offered them food. They taught them how to fend for themselves and the art of fishing and hunting. They showed them how to grow and harvest corn. They showed them the virtues of certain plants and those to avoid. The pumpkin also played an important role during the winter.

Thus, during the first harvest in 1621, three days were dedicated to Thanksgiving. The Indians were invited to come and share a meal in gratitude for their help. Wild turkeys, unknown to the settlers at the time, were offered and eaten, as well as game.

For some, the origin to be considered dates back to 1623. In that year, a day of prayer and fasting was declared because of the drought. A few days later, rain fell and saved the crops. A day of thanksgiving was declared at the end of November.

Since then, several Thanksgiving Days have been declared. It was declared a national day in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. The last Thursday in November was chosen as the date for this holiday. Franklin Delano Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday in November in 1939. It was not until 1941 that Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday.

Turkey, queen of the day

Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays of the year. Great parades take place on this day, especially in New York: the Macy's department stores', for example, organises a large 3-hour parade with customised floats and artists. On this day, all American families gather for a big traditional family meal at home. This big meal is also offered to American soldiers based abroad.

The turkey is the queen of the feast, and the main dish. It is stuffed with chestnuts, apples, oysters or sausages, for example. It is usually accompanied by mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes or a squash gratin. Green beans and corn are also on the menu. A cranberry sauce is added to the mix. The famous pumpkin pie closes the meal.

Since 1989, a more folkloric tradition has emerged: the President of the United States must pardon a turkey in front of journalists on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Departure for Christmas

This time of year is a time for giving and charity. Many meals are served to the homeless by both anonymous people and celebrities. Associations distribute millions of frozen turkeys to disadvantaged families.

Many masses and prayers punctuate this day. They are said to give thanks for the blessings received throughout the year.

The day after Thanksgiving is also a special day. This Friday, known as "The Black Friday", is the occasion of major sales in practically all shops. It marks the start of the Christmas shopping season.

This period is ideal for a language stay in an English-speaking country. It allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of an American family, and to better understand the culture by participating in the most important holiday of the year.

It is also an opportunity to taste the specific cuisine of Thanksgiving.

Some anecdotes

Americans travel the most at this time, by plane or by car. Indeed, they come from all over the United States or elsewhere to be with their families. Friends are also welcome around the table. It is very important for them to be together on this day.

Many Americans eat turkey on this day. Thanksgiving is therefore also called "The Turkey Day".

Different regions have different side dishes. In the north-east of the country, maple syrup is used to coat the turkey. In Baltimore, sauerkraut is a must, in memory of its German origins. Cornbread with oysters comes from the south-east of the USA.

The same applies to desserts. Pecan pie replaces pumpkin pie in Georgia. Sweet potato pie is a staple on North Carolina tables.

🔆 Recursos y materiales gratis en inglés, para Acción de gracias.

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9 Things you can do to improve your CV

Candidates rarely know it, but today's recruiters work with computer tools that allow them to search through thousands of CVs in large databases. These searches are based on key words: for example, a recruitment consultant would search for "SAP logistics engineer".

As you can see, the smartest candidate, who includes a lot of relevant keywords in his or her CV, will move up in the search results... It is exactly the same principle as for a search engine.

Be careful, however: don't play the fool by slipping in all the pompous keywords that pop into your head if they don't correspond to your profile. You will be wasting your time and the time of others.

Take advantage of your hobbies, showcase yourself

Do you play football? Do you build matchboxes? Do you know that this can help you in your job search?

Let's be concrete: unless you are a footballer (or a supporter...), the recruiter doesn't give a damn if you play in the second national division. On the other hand, the fact that you are a team player and a winner ready to take on challenges will not leave him indifferent.

Take advantage of the "Miscellaneous" section of your CV (at the very bottom) to deliver this kind of sweetness that will leave the reader with a nice taste. Every hobby or pastime can be highlighted in this way.

Some examples:

• Do you make castles out of matches? You are probably patient and meticulous...
• Do you play sports? You are driven by the value of surpassing yourself!

And so on, be imaginative!

Let only the essential remain!

Candidates often tend to want to say everything, to be as complete as possible, to show the full extent of their skills and know-how. This is a mistake: when reading your CV, the recruiter will try to assess your ability to summarise and your sense of priorities.

Opt for a tidy, useful and efficient style. If you have 10 years' experience, filling in two lines talking about your eighth grade internship in a supermarket is just clumsy.

Solid arguments

The recruiter doesn't care about a "Very good capacity to generate turnover", which is pompous and doesn't mean anything. On the other hand, mentioning that during your time in such and such a company, the turnover of your sales activity has increased by 15% in 1 year is a concrete, meaningful and verifiable argument that will score points.

Give your reader something to go on, put forward solid arguments rather than fall into commonplaces.

The same goes for languages: "Spanish read, spoken and written" is an old, overused and generally meaningless adjective. Instead, say "Spanish: able to conduct a conversation, write technical documentation" or something like that: clear and precise.

Your CV must be airy

It is often said that a recruiter only spends 30 seconds looking at a CV before deciding whether or not to look at it in detail (well, I must admit that this practice seems strange to me, but so be it). So you need a rather airy CV, or at least not too busy.

Indeed, it is not very pleasant to receive a CV with a multitude of information, organised or not!

A CV that is too dense will be difficult to read and the recruiter will find it hard to pick out relevant keywords. This will be detrimental to your application.

One page? Several pages?

It's simple: if your experiences require several pages of CV, put several. There is no point in cutting out your experiences, results and tasks if they are relevant.

It's better to have two pages that are rather light and pleasant to read, than one page where the information is not readable.

Keep it small: don't list all the sports you watch on TV or the books you have read, to gain seniority. Keep it relevant to the job objective and the position you are targeting.

Photo or no photo?

This is a debate that is almost as endless as whether you should have a one-page CV or several!

Regarding the photo, feel free to put one or not. Indeed, some people are more comfortable with their image than others, and this in no way prejudges the quality of the application.

In any case, if you don't have a photo, the recruiter will just have to google you to find out what you look like. If you do put a photo, be aware that photos sent via Snapchat with a unicorn filter, flower crown, etc. should remain on Snapchat. Of course, no austere photos, but too much fantasy may slow down the recruiter in reading your CV.

A clear objective

As far as possible, the recruiter should find the reason for your application directly. Indeed, sometimes it is not clear at first glance what the candidate is getting at.

So I advise you to state your objective very clearly, as this will make it easier to read.

Your objective must be clearly indicated but it can remain vague. Indeed, depending on the company, its sector or the position you are looking for, you can allow yourself not to be too specific in your search objective, so as not to close certain doors if there are several positions to be filled.

Do not lie!

Even if you don't have to tell the whole truth, it is not advisable to lie about your experience or qualifications. Many candidates think they can cheat on their application to get their dream job.

If you can make slight adjustments at the margin, you should remain honest and sincere.

If you don't have all the qualities required for a job, apply anyway and tell the recruiter where you can improve and highlight your qualities. A recruiter will appreciate this (well, not all of them, okay) and they may interview you to review your experience and motivation.

Results!

Depending on the position, recruiters will be very sensitive to the indicators provided. For example, if you are applying for a "recruitment officer" position, indicate how many recruitments you have made in your previous experiences (by comparing this number, for example, to the total volume of applications).
For a sales position, indicate the turnover you have generated and the number of clients in your portfolio.

In any case, it is always a good idea to give numerical indicators (not necessarily detailed) so that the recruiter can judge your 'performance' at a glance.

Of course, this advice should be taken with caution because, just as there is a plethora of applications, there is a plethora of recruiters and, depending on their HR marketing strategies, everyone will see through them.

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Why do pets help people be happier and healthier?

Pets: science reveals all their benefits

Pets are like medicine on legs and are great companions at any age. They help us to be more active and therefore reduce the risk of disease, but also to feel good about ourselves. And science has proven it!

Thanks to numerous studies on the subject, researchers have repeatedly proven that pets are great health allies in everyday life. Whether for the young, the active or even the elderly, dogs and cats contribute to our well-being and protect us from many diseases. They are also vectors of social bonding and sometimes participate in the emergence of beautiful relationships. Let's take a closer look at all the benefits that these fur balls bring us.

Extraordinary companions for children

Animals and children have a lot to share, it's obvious! From their earliest years (seven or eight months), toddlers are able to become aware of the presence of a dog or cat in their environment and therefore interact with it. In the case of toddlers, the animal plays a role in providing security and comfort, thus becoming an exceptional companion. This is why the bonds can sometimes be very strong. As they grow up, children learn more quickly to take responsibility in the presence of their good friend. It gives them confidence and helps them to grow up well. Animals also help to strengthen the immune system of young children. According to a Swedish study, babies who are in daily contact with a dog or cat are 33% less likely to develop allergies or suffer from respiratory infections.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease

In adults too, the daily company of a pet has been widely proven. Dog owners reduce the risk of premature death by 33% and the risk of cardiovascular disease by 11%. These data can be explained by the fact that people living with a dog are more active than others, with pet walks contributing to more regular physical exercise, i.e. about thirty minutes more per week than non-owners.

Better still, the company of a canine could make you ten years younger! Yes, according to an English study, people over 65 who make more physical effort by walking their little companion are as fit as someone ten years younger. This pace of life is said to prevent heart, muscle and bone disease.

Social bonding and high morale

Finally, studies have also shown that the human-animal relationship contributes to increasing self-esteem, feeling useful and less depressed when it comes to overcoming a difficult moment. It has also been proven that animals are stress reducers, that they allow us to get out of isolation, especially for the elderly, and that they help us express our emotions. For example, 68% of senior citizens say they feel better mentally and physically thanks to their furry friend. It is not for nothing that pet therapy is currently a great success and that more and more retirement homes are using animal mediation! In addition, the adoption of a cat or a dog also promotes social interaction. According to the results of an Australian and American study, dating from 2015, 80% of the people questioned acknowledged that their pet had enabled them to meet and talk with their neighbours or people in their neighbourhood. Some of them, 37%, have even found love thanks to their doggie or cat!

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Tate Britain, London. Information about London

Along with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives, the Tate Britain Museum is part of the Tate Gallery network of museums founded by Henry Tate. It is one of the most comprehensive museums in the British art world, both in terms of the number of works and their quality.

History

The museum is housed in the original Tate Gallery building before it was divided into three other sites. It is a stately Portland stone building that was begun in 1983. It is situated on the original site of the former Millbank Prison.

The gallery opened on 21 July 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art, but soon became popularly known as the Tate Gallery after its founder Henry Tate.

Exhibitions

Since the transfer of much of the modern and contemporary art collection to the Tate Modern site in 2000, Tate Britain has held the world's most important collection of British art from the 1500s to the present day.

The museum is divided into three main sections. The first is historic British art with paintings and sculptures from the 1500s to the 1900s. The second is modern art from 1900 to 1960. The third part of the museum is completed by the exhibition of contemporary art with works dating from 1960 to the present day.

Among the works in the entire museum are works by renowned artists such as J.M.W Turner, Gainsborough, Constable, Millais, Burne-Jones, Whistler, Hogarth, Sargent, Sickert, Hepworth and Bacon.

There are frequent and interesting temporary exhibitions. Although admission to Tate Britain is free, a ticket is required to enter.

Location: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, Reino Unido - +44 20 7887 8888

Boat: Tate Boat with parada en muelle de Millbank Millennium Pier.

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• Information about London. Demographics of London
• Science Museum
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• Millennium Bridge, London
• London markets
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• Piccadilly Circus, London. Information about London
• Hyde Park, London.
• Soho, London.
• Chinatown, London. Information about London
• Palace of Westminster
• London Eye
• St Paul's Cathedral
• Tower of London
• Tower Bridge
• Big Ben.
• Health Care in the UK -¿Cómo es la asistencia sanitaria en Reino Unido?
• How can I obtain a NIN (National Insurance Number)?
• What documentation should I bring with me to the UK?
• Brexit FAQ - Frequently asked questions Brexit
• History of the flag of the United Kingdom
• Where to do language exchange in London
• How should I write the CV? - Practical advice on the CV
• The job interview - How to Prepare For an Interview

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Cuándo usar Since, For, Ago: ¿Cuáles son las diferencias?

¿Has confundido alguna vez For y Since, y no has sabido utilizar Ago? Aquí tienes una pequeña explicación para mostrarte las diferencias y ayudarte a ver las cosas más claras.

For y Since

For y Since se traducen ambos como desde. Casi siempre se utilizan con el presente perfecto (o el presente perfecto progresivo).

I haven’t called her for 5 weeks. - No la he llamado desde hace 5 semanas.

I haven’t called her since last may. - No la he llamado desde el pasado mes de mayo.

Después de For ⇒ pon una duración.
Después de Since ⇒ se pone un punto de partida, o una fecha concreta.
Esta es la principal diferencia que hay que recordar entre estas dos palabras.

Ejemplos:

For 25 years
For 7 months
For five hours
For a long time

Since her birthday
Since 2010
Since last year
Since yesterday

Recuerda:

For + duration
Since + punto de partida

Nota: Tiene sentido utilizar el presente perfecto (o el presente perfecto progresivo), en lugar de otro tiempo. En efecto, se utiliza cuando se habla de una acción pasada que está vinculada al presente. Cuando se utiliza la palabra "desde", se suele hablar de algo que sigue vigente.

Ago

Si quieres hablar de una acción pasada, en el pasado, debes decir "hace" en su lugar:

"Conocí a Pablo hace cinco años". Se trata de un suceso concreto que ocurrió hace cinco años.

Así que usamos AGO en inglés:

I met Pablo 5 years ago.

Ago se utiliza siempre junto a un marcador de tiempo. Significa "hace" y se coloca después del marcador de tiempo.

I sent you an email five weeks ago. - Te envié un correo electrónico hace cinco semanas.
I was a police ages ago. - Fui policía hace años.
I finished this film three hours ago! - ¡He terminado esta película hace tres horas!

Ago se utiliza siempre en pretérito.

*** Para los ejercicios de inglés que te piden que elijas entre pretérito y presente perfecto, ya sabes que si ves for o since, debes elegir presente perfecto, y si ves ago, debes poner pretérito.

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Job interview: The keys to success

The job interview, these are the two words that candidates dream of hearing, while secretly dreading them. However, they are the sign of a successful first step, since your CV has been well received and your cover letter has convinced you. But nothing can be done about it, the job interview remains one of the most dreaded stages for the vast majority of job seekers. So how do you overcome this fear and go into job interviews with your head held high? Here are essential tips to impress recruiters.

Prepare for it

1. A job interview is like a test at school: you prepare beforehand to get a good mark. The best thing to do is to take a pen, make some notes and revise.
2. We cram on the company's product/service: we register on the site, we analyse it, we subscribe to the newsletter. In short, you use all the tools at your disposal once or several times, in order to fully understand the services offered by the company.
3. We study the environment and the company's competitors. Indeed, to understand a job, there is nothing like knowing its universe, and therefore the companies that do the same job.
4. We go through the company's press coverage: articles in specialised newspapers, hashtags on social networks, etc.
5. We write an argument for each mission described in the job description (skills, qualifications). "Yes, this job suits you", point by point, and you can prove it.
6. Find out about your future contact on LinkedIn. Because this social network will tell you not only about your recruiter's current position, but also about his or her experience, professional interests, etc. (If you want to do this in private mode: go to your profile - preferences and privacy - profile view options).
7. Stress relief: yoga, stretching, breathing exercises. A little stress can be beneficial and a boost, but too much stress can make you lose your nerve. So a few days before the interview, adopt a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise), and relax.

Dress to match

In order not to be out of place, determine the company's dress code beforehand. If you are applying to a very large group, a bank or an important administration, you can expect to see many suits and ties. In a start-up or SME, employees will probably be more casual. So it's up to you to adapt your outfit accordingly.

Example of an outfit for a large group:

A suit or dark plain suit, with a white shirt, a touch of discreet colour for the tie or scarf. Brown matte leather shoes or black mid-heeled pumps and opaque tights. A nice navy or mottled grey coat.

Sample outfit for a startup:

A nice pair of well-cut jeans, a nice shirt/blouse, a jacket. Brown matte leather shoes or mid-heeled pumps. You can be more daring with accessories that are a little young and colourful.

In general we avoid :

• perfume, after shave or deodorant
• jewellery that is too flashy
• visible brands, extravagant logos
• white socks in leather shoes
• too much make-up
• Remember to try on your entire outfit before the day of the interview.

How to behave

Here you are, all dressed up and ready to face that dreaded moment! You're ready, and you'll do great. But be sure to follow some of our tips:

1. Take notes! This gives the impression that you are interested in what you are being told, and it also gives you something to ask questions about at the end of the interview. What's more, it gives you confidence.
2. Ask questions. Based on your notes taken during the interview and your knowledge of the company, do not hesitate to ask questions at the end of your interview. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the company and the post to be filled, and it shows a certain amount of confidence on your part.
3. Don't interrupt the interviewer, it is not very popular. Listen to them and show them that you are listening: nod your head, take notes. This enhances what he or she says and will also allow you to build on what he or she has said.
4. Stand correctly and smile: this is the basis of non-verbal communication. Stand up straight, stay open, with your body facing the person (not the door like someone who wants to run away). Look attentive and smile. A smiling person inspires confidence and sympathy and makes people want to work with them.

Mistakes to avoid

You've read a lot of advice on what to do, but don't miss out on the things you shouldn't do! In an interview, as in any social interaction, there are some faux pas that you should avoid.

• Dressing inappropriately. As we saw above, all sectors have their own codes, and even for an interview in a start-up company, you show respect and interest by dressing properly.
• Being arrogant. If you seem to have seen it all, to know it all, to have all the codes already, it can greatly annoy the recruiter sitting in front of you. Knowing things is good, being pretentious is much less so. So there is no point in jargonising or trying to impress your interviewer at all costs.
• Spread yourself too thin. Always be precise in your answers and be concise. Nothing is worse than a candidate who digresses or tells too much about his or her life. You should be clear, and only elaborate on certain points if the person in front of you requests it.
• Being overly critical. Even if your former boss was a scoundrel, there is no point in saying anything bad about him or her during your interview. This will only serve to undermine you and make you look vindictive and unsympathetic. Especially as in some professional circles, everyone knows everyone else.
• Plan an appointment that sticks to the interview. Nothing is more stressful than not having time. If you have several interviews at the moment, don't schedule them back to back. You will just look at your watch and stress, which does not bode well for your performance with the recruiter. Similarly, if you are in a job, avoid scheduling an appointment between lunch and dinner. Take the afternoon off, and take the time!

Questions to expect

Once you have introduced yourself and summarised your experience, the recruiter will probably have questions. While every recruiter is different, and every job has its own specific expectations, there are some questions that remain unchanged. So you are very likely to be asked:

1. "Tell me about yourself" - according to recruiters, this is the typical question to start an interview. It's a simple, but unsettling, question that can help you focus the conversation on all the positive aspects of your background. Mention your significant experiences, talk about your situation and what you are looking for. Be concise and highlight your strengths.
2. "Why did you apply for this job and our company in particular? - This question allows recruiters to see from the outset who has applied for no better reason, and who is really motivated. Go back to what attracted you to the job, what you like about the sector of activity, what you like about the company's culture.
3. "What professional situation caused you the most problems? - With this question, the recruiter wants to know how you overcome obstacles, and if you are easily destabilised. Show that you have been able to show optimism and perseverance in spite of difficulties, that you have overcome a real challenge and that you have learned from it!
4. "Why are you the best candidate for the job? - Here, be confident and pragmatic. Compare the job description with your past successful experiences and consider each of your strengths for the position. If you are motivated and convincing, the job is yours!
5. "What are your salary expectations? - This is a question that often makes you feel uncomfortable, yet it is a legitimate one. Don't let yourself be caught off guard, or you risk having your salary expectations lowered. Beforehand, don't hesitate to ask for advice from people around you, or to look up average salaries for a particular type of job in a particular sector on the web.
6. "Do you have any questions? - This is an essential question to which you must absolutely answer "yes". A candidate who does not have any questions can be seen as lacking enthusiasm or interest in the job. If you have conducted your interview well and prepared it well in advance, you will probably get some questions.

Questions to ask the recruiter

Yes, you do have questions, you have plenty of questions! Because you are motivated, curious, and you have prepared your interview thoroughly! Here are some ideas for questions to ask the recruiter on the day:

1. "What impact will my work have on the company's overall missions?" - With this question, the recruiter understands that you are looking for a job, but that you also want to join a team, and participate in the success of a company. You show that you are looking beyond your job.
2. "What are the possibilities for development? - This question clearly shows that if you are hired, your ambition is to stay as long as possible. You show here a desire to invest yourself, to give your best and to progress.
3. "What do you appreciate in your best employees? Once again you show your team spirit and your desire to know the company's requirements. This question will also allow you to learn more about the qualities expected by your recruiter and to adapt accordingly.
4. "What is the company culture - This question will show your interest in the company beyond your own work. The company culture is crucial for job satisfaction, and knowing more about it will help you decide whether or not you want to be involved in the long term.
5. "What are the next steps in the process? - Take the lead and end the interview on an optimistic note. This is where you show your seriousness, your motivation and your structured mind.

The practical details

To avoid last-minute stress, here are some purely practical details to prepare the day before the big day:

1. Locate the place of the interview, plan the route, look at the access map, note the code if there is one.
2. Take a notebook and a pen (which writes!).
3. Set your watch to the right time.
4. Check that the outfit you plan to wear is clean and ironed.
5. Make sure there are no transport strikes, diversions or unexpected traffic.
6. Leave 30 minutes early, just in case.

All the advice you have just read will be very useful. But here is one last one. Be yourself! You have all the necessary qualities since you have come this far. And don't forget, you too are there to be seduced. The person in front of you also has to prove themselves and convince you to come and work with them. Go for it!

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What is Emotional Intelligence at work?

Emotional intelligence - understanding our own and others' emotions and recognising their importance - is the key resource for effective leadership that respects the needs of others.

The good leader excels at the fundamental task of motivating and eliciting positive emotions in those he or she leads, so that they can unleash their best selves.

The difference between intelligence and emotional intelligence

Intelligence as it is generically understood actually refers to what scientists call "cognitive intelligence". Emotional intelligence, on the other hand, is a concept that has only recently emerged, and Salovey and Mayer were the first to define it.

The expression "emotional intelligence" is more concretely the result of the evolution of the study of intelligence. Beyond the cognitive intelligence of man (the part of intelligence developed according to the knowledge of the individual involving memory, language, reasoning... and which is measured by the IQ), another form of intelligence was quickly recognised, more "mental", more "social", which also helps the individual to adapt to his environment.

Social intelligence, practical intelligence... In short, we ended up recognising multiple forms of intelligence in humans, including emotional intelligence.

Scientists currently even consider that it is correlated with an individual's social performance and in particular with the professional success of adults.

What is the use of emotions at work?

Emotions as a valuable tool for human relations

More and more companies today are asking their employees to develop their social and behavioural skills. The aim? To improve their working conditions and those of others. Thus, developing social skills is, by definition, managing everyone's emotions at work. It has therefore become an important consideration for human resources departments.

The Latin root of the word "emotion" is emovere, literally meaning "to set in motion", to put "out of". Emotion characterises an intense, unusual and short-term emotional state. In short, it is a fleeting/permanent expression of a strong feeling.

Emotions are therefore to be distinguished from an individual's temperament, mood or personality. Emotions have the sense that they intervene to respond to the solicitations of the environment of the man and help him to adapt to it.

They also allow him to collect information on his environment and push him to react to it by taking action: fight, flee or suffer.

They are thus a decision-making tool and influence our behaviour in a given situation.

What does emotional intelligence mean in practice in everyday life?

Some theories give a predominant role to emotions in work and especially in decision making. The "risk-as-feelings" theory states that in situations of risk or uncertainty, emotion is an anticipated factor in decision-making. Or the affect heuristic (editor's note: heuristic = strategy) considers that there is a mental shortcut that allows us to make decisions or solve problems quickly and efficiently in situations of intense emotion (fear, pleasure, surprise, etc.). It is easy to see their strategic impact.

Within a company, people with a high potential for emotional intelligence show common behaviours:

• A capacity to focus on the positive.
• The propensity to surround oneself with very positive people.
• The ability to set boundaries and assert oneself when necessary.
• The willingness to be forward thinking and let go of the past.
• The desire to make life fun, joyful and interesting.
• The willingness to choose how to spend energy wisely.
• The desire to learn continuously and to move towards independence.

A manager will thus have a strong interest in developing these skills in order to get his or her team on board.

Emotional intelligence in the world of work

Emotional intelligence: a real issue in workplace relations?

It is easy to guess that the field of application of Emotional intelligence in the field of management is very broad.

It was a man called Goleman who first theorised the association between emotion and work. He carried out a study on 200 companies with the aim of understanding the impact of emotional intelligence on work performance. In this study, he asserted that 60% of a company's performance is due to the emotional skills of its employees.

He thus produced the Goleman model (in 1995) which he adapted to the workplace in 1998. This work is the beginning of a new era (2000s) where we are starting to consider the idea that emotional intelligence should have a positive impact on leadership, change management, professional adaptation and team management.

The fields of application of emotional intelligence in human management

The manager

A manager's emotional intelligence is a form of intelligence that implies, in a managerial context, the ability to diagnose one's own emotional state and that of others, as well as the ability to put in place an emotional strategy/tactic that allows for personal development and that of the group.

It is now recognised that the emotional intelligence of managers can influence the performance of teams. This marks the end of a period (too long?) that advocated management by stress. The idea here was that managed periods of stress would create productive short-term 'boosts' but with disastrous medium- and long-term effects.

Leadership

This is the most concrete application of emotional intelligence in business. To motivate the troops and commit them to a project, to mobilise them around an objective. It is an ability that is generally cultivated over time.

Leadership and charisma are recognised as the main levers for engaging a team around a project. Emotional intelligence at work is a major tool.

It is just as important to develop emotional intelligence as it is to use organisational levers to improve team performance (the famous classic managerial levers).

It is all a question of emotional frequency. To manage their own emotions, leaders can use specific emotional modes: confidence, adaptability, creativity and intuitiveness. Being on the right emotional frequency means developing the right behaviour for the situation.

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