SEL Spotlight

Almost everyone would admit they have heard of IQ and intelligence levels. Most people have heard about EQ, a person's Emotional Quotient, which refers to a person's ability to understand, use, and manage emotions. Very few people, however, know the research on and the importance of a person's LQ. LQ is Love Quotient, and it is a person's ability to be kind and loving to him/herself and others.

LQ is redefining and expanding what love means. Most people tend to have a limited perspective on love. They believe it is limited to romance, spouses, or an expression of care between close friends and family. Love, however, is much more than that. It is the energy and kindness that fuels positive human interaction.

Love is remaining heart-centered during challenges.

Love builds human connection.

Love is showing kindness, even when it is not shown to us.

Love encourages learning.

Love impacts social structures.

Love is servant leadership.

Love is showing genuine care for others.

Expressing love to others does not have to be touchy-feely. Leading with love is simply treating others with respect, dignity, and kindness. Choosing to love others requires us to put others first and appreciate everyone for what they bring to the table.

Researchers on LQ have found that improving one's LQ starts with learning to love yourself first. We need to take time for self-care and find ways to remember our own worth and strengths. Once we feel confident and love ourselves, it is easier for us to open up and show love to others.

So, challenge yourself to start increasing your LQ today. You can start small. Find 2 people and share with them something you love about them and what they bring to the workplace or your life.

By increasing our LQs, we will increase the amount of love and kindness in GISD and our community. Then, we can move beyond the "month of love" and create a culture that celebrates love and kindness EVERY DAY!

• Leading with Love: Three Ways Leadership Can Show Love in the Workplace

• Thelovequotient.org

• The Role of Love Quotient in Developing and Sustaining High-Performance Teams

High LQ improves self-awareness, emotional stability, and helps students manage negative emotions in a healthy and empowered way. These are foundational skills that will help students in many ways for their whole lives. Students who experience these fundamental skills modeled in the classroom are able to show more empathy and value toward others. They have higher social-emotional capacity and improved relationships.

Research also shows that a healthy LQ leads to improved learning ability and cognitive performance. A study of students that were exposed to LQ curriculum and were taught to express love, kindness, and compassion revealed the learning had important ramifications for the students. The students who were taught to increase their LQ exhibited more willingness to share and participate in the classroom. They also showed increased levels of concentration and were able to focus for longer periods of time.

• Improves self-esteem
• Increases the development of healthy relationships
• Increases a student's ability to show empathy
• Helps students reduce aggression
• Fosters gratitude
• Increases the long-term personal success
• Gives children an increased sense of purpose
• Improves overall mental and physical well-being
• Improves sleep, energy, and memory
• Increases the amount of serotonin and dopamine produced
• Has been linked to better attendance and academic success
• Increases a child's sense of belonging

• 15 Kindness Activities for Kids to Practice in 2023
• TeachKindness.org
• 20 Kindness Activities for Kids to Develop Positive Values
• 9 Tips for Teaching Kindness in the Classroom
• How Can You Support a Culture of Wellness in our School?
• 8 Activities to Boost Students' Emotional Intelligence