RG: Pakistan is a county going through a lot of conflict and change. How does that affect your sense of the national EQ and how do you build a peaceful future using it?

Tauqir: Pakistani society has been facing certain emotional challenges for more than a decade. People have been badly affected by conflict and intolerance resulting into distrust, frustration, and uncertainty about the future. EQ is thus much needed here. When I talk to people about how EQ can play a transformational role in their life, they respond inquisitively: “How can I manage stress, anxiety, and improve my performance?” “How can we build trust in relationships at the individual and at the organizational levels?” As the global report on the State of the Heart shows, EQ training has a vital role to play in this part of the world also. Empathy and mutual understanding can play a significant role in bridging the gaps in relationships. I firmly believe in human will to change their life when they decide to do so: Pakistani society has that will and potential to face the challenges of life.

 

RG: Let’s talk about optimism; you mentioned the faith in the future. How do you help people regain that sense of what’s possible?

Tauqir: I think Optimism has a vital role in the current social scenario and I do emphasize on this competency in my training workshops. One thing that I’ve visibly noticed in my audience is that they positively respond to the EQ message i.e. the empowerment and the ability to take control of their future. I see great resilience as well. About 55 % of the national population is youth, which means a lot of emotional energy. With training in EQ competencies, especially the optimism, this energy can be put to a positive and practical use.

People have great hope in the future: In Pakistan, you can see optimism all around you, in the schools, the colleges, the celebrations, the marriage parties, on the roads. People laugh and play and participate in life. Despite adversities, they look forward to a better future. I think training on optimism can spur their progress significantly in this situation.

 

RG: Tell us a little about you.

Tauqir: I have been in education for more than 30 years. As for EQ, it started in the late 90’s when I read Daniel Goleman’s book on Emotional Intelligence. I used to think, “why not put this into practice?” When I was involved in Life Skills (soft skills) training in Brunei, I needed to approach this area in a scientific way, especially the assessment of Life Skills. So I went for Six Seconds EQ Practitioner training in 2012. We had a great time with Josh Freedman and others. It was a big step towards learning and applying the EQ skills. The interest in EQ led me to the assessment of these competencies and I got SEI certification: it was an equally wonderful learning experience with Yoshimi. I further studied EQ’s role in education and did iSEL with Susan Stillman. Since my certifications I’ve attended several webinars and have been benefitted by a wealth of resources provided by Six Seconds. Study and practice of EQ is a passion for me and it’s a part of my life now.

Last year I came back to Pakistan from Brunei, and since then I’ve been involved in EQ training that’s much needed here. I’ve visited a number of universities, private and government organizations and have delivered talks and workshops: the response is very encouraging.

Although, EQ training has not yet been grounded well in Pakistan, I’m optimistic about it’s future.

Biography:

Current – Preferred Partner/Network Leader, Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network, Freelance EQ/Life Skills Trainer

Previous – Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Education, Pakistan

Education – The University of Warwick, England

Tauqir has earned the following certifications from Six Seconds:

– Certified EQ Practitioner
– Certified EQ Assessor (Adult & Youth) 
– Certified EQ Profiler
– Certified in iSEL (Social Emotional Learning).

 

 

 

Rural Villages: A Blueprint for Happiness

RG: How about the difference between rural and urban areas?

Tauqir: Definitely, there’s a difference. I spent considerable time in the rural side as a child and sometimes I visit villages now as well. Paradoxically, people in the rural areas are much more emotionally intelligent as they still follow the old values and traditions. This gives them greater stability in social life. There is a stronger sense of relationship in villages: If something sad happens, or somebody is sick, you see a lot of empathy, fellow feeling, and cooperation. Unfortunately, the urban side is deficient in that. The rural side naturally has that as a human inheritance, as a part of their psyche. People in villages live simpler life, live closer to Nature and are more contented. They are happy with fewer possessions, and consequently have less stress. They eat simpler food, they work hard, and mostly they still have a joint family system where cousins and brothers live together under the same roof. They derive emotional strength from their value system.

 

Reinventing Community in Cities

RG: It’s almost like what you’re saying that we used to know how to live as humans for millions of years, and somehow we forgot. Do you have people try to help create these systems to make themselves feel more connected?

Tauqir: Yes, as EQ trainer I’m trying to contribute to that side. There is a sense of longing in people. They find something missing in life. It’s instinctive. People are concerned about decaying relationships and they are looking for a solution. I’ve witnessed it during my interaction with them. When you talk about Know yourself, Choose Yourself, Give Yourself, the value of relationships and empathy, they take interest and positively respond. One important area of life is our educational institutions where young population has numerous emotional challenges. When parents know about EQ training and how it can make a difference in their children’s life, they listen with interest. Once started, I hope it will have ripple effects.

  

Embracing EQ

RG: What potential is there for spreading EQ in Pakistan?

Tauqir: EQ has great prospects in Pakistan. I see enthusiasm and excitement about EQ training and assessment tools during my training workshops. Sometimes, there are challenges as well. There are institutions with the old mindset; they are yet to be convinced that EQ training is an investment, not a cost for their business and performance. At places, there’s a sense of complacence. It’s a challenge to break through that mindset.

But on the whole, EQ training has a promising future in Pakistan in corporate sector, education, HR training, and other areas of life. I have conducted a number of workshops on stress management, time management, EQ in education & performance: the participants felt very much excited about EQ and how it can improve their life. Six Seconds EQ assessment tools have a significant impact in this respect.

RG: Anything you would like to add?

Tauqir: EQ is my full time occupation now and I’m concentrating on it. I hope to join hands with others already doing human development programs to extend the EQ message further. It’s a pleasure to be a part of Six Seconds network with its noble and global mission. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to share my views with you.