The skill we were never taught — but needed the most Emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the most important — yet often overlooked — factors in the development of young people. We talk a lot about grades.We talk about behaviour.We talk about outcomes. But we don’t talk enough about how young people feel — or more importantly, how they understand and manage those feelings. And the reality is this: Young people with higher emotional intelligence don’t just do better in school — they navigate life better. A Simple Way to Understand It Let’s look at two everyday scenarios. Scenario 1 A young person gets stuck on a maths problem. They become frustrated.They shut down.They lash out.They say, “I can’t do this.” Or they snap at you because something small didn’t go their way. Scenario 2 Same situation. But this time, the young person pauses. They recognise their frustration.They express it calmly.They ask for help.They regulate their response. The difference between those two scenarios is not intelligence. It’s not ability. It’s emotional intelligence. What Emotional Intelligence Actually Is At its simplest level, emotional intelligence is: The ability to understand, manage, and respond to emotions — both your own and other people’s. It’s about recognising what you feel… Understanding why you feel it… And choosing how you respond. Not reacting. Responding. And that’s a skill. A skill that most of us were never taught. Why This Matters More Than We Think For years, success was linked mainly to IQ. High intelligence meant better outcomes. Better jobs. More opportunities. But over time, research began to show something different. IQ might open doors… But emotional intelligence determines how far you go once you’re through them. The famous Marshmallow Test highlighted this. Children who were able to delay gratification — showing self-control — tended to have better outcomes later in life. Not because they were “smarter”. But because they could regulate themselves. And that’s emotional intelligence. The Five Core Elements of Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is often broken down into five key areas. 1. Self-Awareness Understanding your emotions. Recognising your strengths, limits, and triggers. Being able to say: “I’m frustrated right now.” Instead of acting it out. 2. Self-Regulation Managing your emotional response. Not suppressing emotions — but controlling how you express them. The difference between: Exploding… Or pausing. 3. Motivation Staying focused, resilient, and driven. Even when things are difficult. Even when things don’t go your way. 4. Empath Understanding how others feel. Being able to put yourself in someone else’s position. This is where connection is built. 5. Social Skills Communicating effectively. Building relationships. Managing conflict. Working with others. Why Emotional Intelligence Is Missing The reality is — most people were never taught this. Not in school. Not at home. Not in everyday life. We were taught: MathsEnglishScience But not: How to process frustrationHow to deal with rejectionHow to regulate angerHow to understand anxiety So what happens? We grow up reacting instead of understanding. And then later in life we ask: “Why do I feel like this?”“Why do I react like that?” My Experience With Emotional Intelligence For me, emotional intelligence has been one of the biggest factors in both my personal and professional development. I’ve always been a deep thinker. I’ve overthought situations. Conversations. Relationships. Even things that never actually happened. And what I realised over time is this: Your perception is not always reality. Just because you feel something strongly… Doesn’t mean it’s true. That understanding alone changes how you move through life. It allows you to pause. To question your thoughts. To respond differently. And that’s where growth happens. Emotional Intelligence vs IQ IQ is important. It plays a role in learning, problem-solving, and knowledge. But it’s only one part of the picture. Because what happens when: You’re intelligent — but can’t manage stress?You’re capable — but struggle with relationships?You’re talented — but react emotionally under pressure? That’s where emotional intelligence comes in. Research has shown: • IQ may predict academic success• EI often predicts life success In fact, emotionally intelligent individuals tend to: • Build stronger relationships• Handle pressure better• Become better leaders• Make more balanced decisions So it’s not IQ vs EI. It’s IQ + EI = real development. Why This Matters for Young People Today Young people today are facing more pressure than ever before. Social media.Comparison.Identity.Expectations.Online and offline worlds blending together. And without emotional intelligence, those pressures become overwhelming. We see it in: • anxiety• anger• withdrawal• low confidence• behavioural challenges But what if instead of reacting to those behaviours… We taught the skills behind them? Emotional Intelligence Is Like a GPS One of the best ways to think about emotional intelligence is this: It’s like a GPS for life. Without it: Young people get lost in emotions.They react instead of respond.They struggle to navigate challenges. With it: They can pause.They can understand what they’re feeling.They can choose a better direction. It doesn’t remove challenges. But it helps them navigate through them. How We Start Building It Emotional intelligence isn’t something that just develops on its own. It needs to be taught.Modelled.Practised. And it starts with conversation. Simple conversations like: “How did that make you feel?”“What do you think caused that reaction?”“What could you do differently next time?” Not judgement. Not lectures. Just understanding. The Bigger Picture Imagine growing up being taught: How to regulate your emotionsHow to understand your triggersHow to communicate effectivelyHow to process difficult experiences Instead of ignoring emotions… Suppressing them… Or escaping from them… Because that’s what we see now. People using distraction, avoidance, or unhealthy coping mechanisms — not because they want to, but because they were never given the tools. Final Thought The more we understand emotional intelligence… The more we realise something important: People’s behaviour is often a reflection of how they feel about themselves. Their reactions are shaped by their experiences. Their perceptions are built over time. And behaviour is learned. So if behaviour is learned… It can be taught differently. And that’s where the opportunity
Embracing Collaboration Over Competition
In a world often driven by cutthroat competition, the tide is turning towards a more profound ethos: collaboration over competition. This transformative motto serves as a beacon guiding individuals, businesses, and communities towards unparalleled success. The Shift in Mindset Gone are the days when success was measured solely by outshining others. Today, the focus is shifting towards the collective growth that collaboration fosters. Embracing this ethos acknowledges that when we work together, the possibilities are not just expanded but unlimited. Building Stronger Networks One of the most significant advantages of prioritizing collaboration is the establishment of robust networks. By connecting and partnering with like-minded individuals and organizations, we create an ecosystem where knowledge, resources, and support flow seamlessly, benefiting all involved. Creating Innovation Collaboration breeds innovation. When diverse minds and talents converge, they bring in a multitude of perspectives, sparking creativity and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The emphasis on collaboration will become the catalyst for groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements. Nurturing a Culture of Support Choosing collaboration over competition nurtures a culture of support and empowerment. Instead of viewing others as rivals, we celebrate their achievements and lend a helping hand when needed. This culture not only propels personal growth but elevates the collective potential of society as a whole. Business and Beyond In the business realm, the shift towards collaboration marks a pivotal turn. Companies embracing this ethos prioritize partnerships, co-creation, and shared goals. From startups to conglomerates, the emphasis on collaboration in 2026 will redefine success strategies, leading to sustainable growth and innovation. Impact on Communities At the heart of this motto lies its impact on communities. Whether local or global, collaboration fosters unity, compassion, and progress. Initiatives aimed at solving societal challenges flourish when diverse stakeholders come together, pooling their resources and expertise for the greater good. Embracing the Change Making the shift towards collaboration might require rewiring our mindsets and unlearning past notions of rivalry. However, the rewards it promises in terms of personal fulfillment, professional success, and societal progress are immeasurable. Conclusion As we embark on the journey through 2026, let us rally behind the mantra of collaboration over competition. Together, we can create a world where collective success is not just an aspiration but a reality.. a world where collaboration becomes the cornerstone of our achievements, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
Back to School
Another year.. It’s that time of the year again – the beginning of a new school year! Teachers and students (at least some of them!) are brimming with excitement and energy to get back into the classroom, aren’t you? Grab this opportunity of coming back to school and get to work on the personal and collective goals you want to achieve this year. Let’s see why setting goals – academic and also personal development and emotional intelligence related – is so important. Setting Goals Setting goals is the first step in achieving your goals (that was obvious). They help set directions and outline strategies that you want to follow to reach your targets. With proper planning, you can have a timeline or something tangible to focus on. Yes, goals can differ from person to person. For teachers, some common goals can be providing quality learning and developing soft sound skills, while the goals for students can be excelling in studies, making networks, or completing an application for the next part of their studies. However, these are just the academic side – we’ll explore more holistic goals as well. Importance of EI and Mental Wellbeing There should be greater emphasis on mental well-being and Emotional Intelligence (EI). I express this in all my work and everything we aim to achieve in Forever Young People, from day to day working with young people, discussing challenges with my team or a support package with a social worker but I also put a lot of emphasis of EI into my every day life. EI is a concept which focuses on developing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Following are several EI benefits. · All factors of EI can help young people identify their thoughts and develop deep focus. · It can help to develop interpersonal skills like visual learning and communication. Moreover, EI can help young people develop self-confidence and ethics. · Young people can identify their emotions like exam stress, failing fear, or disappointment. As a result, they can better control themselves and manage their stress. · Young people also develop the art of empathy which can improve social relations and improve mental health. It’s important to cultivate independence, self-care, and coping skills to ensure the mental wellbeing of students in the UK. This includes paying attention to their emotional intelligence—including the feeling of self-worth, ability to express/feel a range of emotions, coping with stress, adapting to change, engaging productively with others, and maintaining healthy relationships. According to a report released by the UCL Institute of Health Equity, the main factors affecting the success of school transitions revolve around the family background and the stage of transition. For this reason, here’s a break down of the different stages of transition for students in the UK and how emotional intelligence plays a seminal role in each of them. Transition time.. Primary Year 6-7 In the UK, primary education comprises of Key Stages 1 and 2—which typically start at age 5 all the way to age 11. Depending on the institution, it may be split into infant and junior levels. Starting primary school is an exciting, yet challenging time for both the young person and the family. It often the first time the child spends significant time away from the family. If care is not taken, young people may develop separation anxiety—especially if they change schools often. Understanding how to manage this feeling is an important emotional and social step for the child’s development. Caregivers (teachers, parents, and other guardians) should offer a reassuring support system. GCSE Year 10-11 Secondary education is arguably one of the most challenging stages of transition for school students. Of particular focus is year 10 and 11, which start at around age 14. It’s a time when they struggle with the confusion, nervousness, and self-consciousness that characterises adolescence. As the last two years of secondary education, young people also have to deal with academic pressure as they prepare for their next steps. Some young people may feel lost, fear of losing old friends, or worry about building relationships with peers. They are especially at an increased risk of feeling excluded—leading to isolation. Schools and parents should work towards building the pupil’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and resilience. Specifically, ensure the student is coping well academically, they’re safe online, they’re interacting with positive peer grounds, and socialising healthily. Year 11 to College The next academic years after year 11—including A level studies, International Baccalaureate (IB), vocational courses, foundational courses, and undergraduate study. According to Universities UK, there is “widespread reported increase in young adults struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.” This transition is usually challenging and complex—owing to cultural change, moving away from home, and dealing with high academic or social expectations. If unchecked, a student may fall into a path of anxiety or even depression. It’s important to foster communication or raise awareness of mental health problems and how to cope. The takeaway is that schools and parents should help students develop the necessary social and emotional skills to successfully transition through the different stages of school. This facilitates high emotional intelligence that will prepare young people for the future. What you can do to help your young person: Create routines If a young person “doesn’t want to transition because they like consistency and routine and structure,” says Michael Rosenthal, a clinical neuropsychologist, “then start by building in consistency and routine and structure into the transition process itself.” Allow Your Child and Yourself to Experience the Stress This particular step seems counter intuitive, but acknowledging the stress that both your young person and you as their parent are experiences will make it easier to move past it instead of bottling it up inside. This is an excellent opportunity for you to sit and talk with your young person about what their fears are, what is bothering them and what you can do to help them feel better. Cut Your Young Person Some Slack Young People in a new educational