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Ever wonder why you can’t figure out what people are thinking?  Or what effect you may have on someone? Two (unrelated) publications made me consider these items in tandem.  First, let’s consider our emotional intelligence.  Published research is showing that the more money we make, the more educated we are, or our work position,  the less likely we can perceive reactions and emotions from those around us.

Drs. Michael Kraus, Cote and Keltner of UC San Francisco published the results from three studies in Psychological Science.  The studies determined that lower-class based individuals had higher empathic accuracy, determined the emotions of a partner more accurately, and could properly infer emotions from images of different individuals, when compared to upper-class types.  Basically, these folks performed better in terms of emotional intelligience (the ability to read other people’s emotions).

The determination of class involved occupation, status, education, and income levels.  The three studies included more than 300 subjects examining photographs and participating in mock job interviews.  Those classified as upper class were found to be less adept recognizing when someone was angry, happy, upset, or anxious. The upper class types were less likely to ask for help, so they were less likely to be in tune to the needs of others.

Kraus further reported that those identified as upper-class improved their emotional intelligence when they were asked to imagine themselves on the opposite end of the relevant economic, educations, or social strata.

What about how people affect each other?  I have had the opportunity to interact with folks I desperately wanted to meet; oftentimes, these folks barely (and that may be more flattering to myself) recall the interaction(s).  But, those events have helped shape me and my attitudes.  I recalled that more clearly when I read today’s New York Times.  Amazingly, this article was in the sports section (ask anyone- I don’t follow sports; just the Philadelphia Phillies).

It seems that the basketball coach of the University of Connecticut (Geno Auriemma), had met John Wooden, the legendary coach of UCLA (even I know that) in the mid-1990’s.  They managed to have a short conversation about basketball.  When the Connecticut Huskies won the NCAA women’s title, Wooden remarked “I’ve never met their coach, but he seems like a wonderful young man”.  Auriemma keeps a copy of that article framed in his office, as a “leveler”.   “It brings you back down to earth and reminds you no matter how important you think you are, a lot of people don’t give two rips about you and what you’re doing.”

It also means that we choose our heroes based upon their affect upon us- not whether they like us or even knew us.  And, when and if we are lucky to “make it”, we should make sure that we do provide mentoring opportunities to others, so they can too.

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