How do you build emotional intelligence with the frantic pace of business life, its relentless flow of data, information, conversations, and meetings? There is one straightforward, yet profoundly impactful strategy I have embraced, both during my tenure on the stage and in my business career. I call it "Ink Your Insights."
The Power of the Pen: Lessons from the Stage
In my five-plus decades as a stage actor, I discovered a potent method that not only facilitated swift and accurate memorization of lines but also deepened my connection with the characters I portrayed. This method is straightforward: handwriting my lines.
The practice of writing out my lines longhand helped me memorize and internalize the emotions and motivations of my characters, because it caused me to slow my processing, reflect, and imagine as I wrote and rewrote them. Something so simple was actually profound in its outcome, providing a foundation for a more authentic and spontaneous performance.
Handwriting my lines became a ritual through which I explored the intricacies of my role. This technique did not just make me a better actor; it influenced how I approached communication and understanding across all facets of life. That is where I discovered there was a tie to my business career.
Ink Your Insights in Business
The virtues of handwriting extend well beyond the theatrical world. In business, where clarity and accuracy are crucial, "Ink Your Insights" can transform how we digest and retain information. Handwriting compels us to slow down and deeply engage with our thoughts, improving our understanding and memory of the material while allowing us to reflect more deeply on the topic.
Clarity and Creativity
When we choose to write by hand, we activate different areas of the brain than we do when typing on a keyboard, reading, or simply hearing what is being said. Research conducted by neuroscientist Audrey van der Meer, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology in April 2020, indicated that handwriting enhances brain connectivity more significantly than any other form of input, including typing, reading, or hearing. That increased connectivity is essential for forming memories and encoding new information, and was identified as a key element in fostering both learning and creativity.
Studies using functional MRI have confirmed this gap. Handwriting produces broader neural activation than typing, and that broader activation contributes directly to better retention and comprehension. When more of the brain is working together, more of what you read, hear, and think actually sticks.
Emotional Intelligence
How does this connect to emotional intelligence? Handwriting nurtures self-awareness by encouraging us to reflect on our thoughts and emotions. This reflection is vital for developing EQ. In the business environment, grasping your emotional landscape is key for empathetic leadership and effective communication. By routinely jotting down thoughts and reflections, leaders can better understand themselves and, consequently, those around them.
A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students who wrote their notes by hand had better understanding and memory retention compared to those who typed their notes (Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014). This suggests that handwriting not only supports cognitive processing but also emotional processing, which is foundational to emotional intelligence.
Practical Application: Handwriting to Harness EQ
Here is how you can apply "Ink Your Insights" in your professional life:
Daily reflections. Allocate a few minutes each day to write down critical insights from meetings and conversations. Consider not just what was said, but how it affected you and why.
Preparation for interactions. Before an important meeting or presentation, manually write out your key points. Predict potential questions and prepare your answers in writing. This not only solidifies your material but also sharpens your responsiveness.
Summarize to understand. After absorbing new information, summarize it in writing as if explaining it to a child. This practice confirms your understanding and your ability to communicate the concept simply and clearly.
The Case for Picking Up the Pen
Just as handwriting enabled me to more authentically embody characters on stage, it can empower professionals to engage more thoroughly with their roles in the business world. Whether you are leading a team, managing a project, or navigating complex negotiations, "Ink Your Insights" is a powerful tool for enhancing understanding, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
So the next time you consider typing out notes during a meeting, perhaps reach for a pen instead. Handwriting is not merely a nod to tradition; it is a time-tested avenue to deeper understanding and more effective communication.
If you are looking to enhance your professional and personal communication skills, consider connecting with our team at Braintrust to learn how our NeuroCommunications programs help individuals and companies communicate with more purpose, power, and impact.
