What is Emotional Intelligence?

Dan Rooney’s got it and so do the Pittsburgh Steelers

Feb 06, 2009
bubble 3 comments
Submitted by: Bridget Laird

Like everyone from Pittsburgh, I’ve been glorying in the Super Bowl victory of the Steelers this week. What a great game! What a great team! As someone who teaches emotional and social skills to kids, I am struck by the extraordinary character and emotional intelligence of Dan Rooney, the owner who built the spirit of this special team based on his own personal values.

 
“We do what we think is right. We do what we think is fair,” Rooney says.
 
Talk about fairness – the National Football League’s mandate on minorities being interviewed for every head coach opening is named the Rooney Rule. Rooney’s attitude is no frills, no flash. He eats lunch with his players almost daily in the cafeteria. He lives in the home where he grew up. No limo and driver for Rooney – he drives himself, and is known for walking to the stadium on game days.
 
He doesn’t believe in big egos and big salaries. His team has had only 3 coaches in 40 years. And during that time, Pittsburgh has won 6 Super Bowls and made the playoffs 24 times.
 
As a WINGS employee, it makes me feel wonderful knowing my hometown heroes hold social and emotional skills close to their hearts.

Just goes to show...

On February 20th, 2009 cristy mccrery says:
This is a great story about someone with a high EQ and being successful in life. It shows that when you take the time to learn social and emotional skills, you will never forget them and those skills come out to help you succeed and to be a better person. And that's what WINGS wants for our kids - for each and every one of them to grow up to be successful adults.

Interesting...

On February 17th, 2009 Nicole Lovecchio says:
As a relatively avid football fan, I never knew all of this about the Steelers owner. It's interesting that most of what you hear about professional sports and athletes revolves around the negative choices they make. Dan Rooney is the type of person who our kids should be using as role model, not the athletes that think they are above the law and whine about needing more money. It sounds to me like Mr. Rooney has a very high EQ (emotional quotient) and soars with both responsible decision making skills and a great sense of social awareness. I am confident that through the social skills activities taught at WINGS, our kids are becoming better people and closer to the type of man that Mr. Rooney has proven to be. Nicole Lovecchio Program Director WINGS @ Chicora Elementary

Hits home

On February 10th, 2009 Liz Mester says:

I love to hear about real life examples of people displaying their social and emotional smarts.  It's hard to sum up what these smarts are all about - what they look like, how to use them, who's got them.  But, when you look at a team like the Steelers and hear stories about the head coach, you can start to get it.  And, it's proof that good social and emotional skills can lead to great success stories.