The Delta Zeta Creed and Emotionally Intelligent Leadership

To the world,
I promise temperance and insight and courage,
To crusade for justice,
To seek the truth and defend it always;

To those whom my life may touch in slight measure,
May I give graciously
Of what is mine;

To my friends,
Understanding and appreciation;

To those closer ones,
Love that is ever steadfast;

To my mind,
Growth;

To myself,
Faith
That I may walk truly
In the light of the Flame.

-- Dorothy Mumford Williams, Alpha Zeta (Adelphi University), 1939

 

The Delta Zeta Creed is beautiful…the words and phrasing floating so effortlessly off the tongue. But it also sneaks up on you unexpectedly, providing insight and guidance at the exact moments you need it. Even for those who say it every day, reciting the Creed in different situations brings new understanding and unique emotions. Or maybe the new understanding came as your life has evolved, whether that be college graduation, an impactful volunteer role, or helping a friend through a difficult situation. How did you, or do you think you will feel, when you say the Creed with women from a different chapter, when you share with non-Delta Zetas, and when you recite the Creed at National Convention?

 

As educators, the Creed has also afforded Delta Zeta the opportunity to frame and apply leadership concepts to the Delta Zeta experience. At the Norma Minch Andrisek Leadership Conference (NMALC), Delta Zeta introduced the concept of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership to the nearly 400 emerging leaders in attendance. Emotionally Intelligent Leadership, theorized by Marcy Levy Shankman and Scott Allen, asserts that everyone has the capacity to be a leader whether or not they have a formal officer role. Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (EIL) can be broken down into three overall areas, each of which is further divided into capacities:

 

• Consciousness of Context – intentional study or awareness of the environment and how that interacts with one’s success as a leader
• Consciousness of Others – understanding that leadership is about relationships and one’s ability to work with others
• Consciousness of Self – awareness of one’s own goals, values, priorities, strengths, etc. increases one’s effectiveness as a leader

 

These three consciousnesses can be explored further through what we as Delta Zetas pledge to do in our daily lives. As we look at context, we can draw analogies between group saavy and insight, truth, and courage. Those who our lives touch in slight measure, friends and closer ones all speak to the importance of others. To our minds we promise growth and to ourselves faith, all of which align with an awareness of self.

 

Check back on this blog in a few weeks for more information on how the principles of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership were included at NMALC and how they can be implemented into your daily life.

 

For more information on Emotionally Intelligent Leadership, visit http://www.eileadership.net/.