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emotional social intelligence

Reigniting Connection to Thrive

Posted on January 22, 2021January 22, 2021 by Promega

This post is written by Malynn Utzinger, Director of Integrative Practices at Promega.

Connection is intuitive. We’re wired for connection, hard wired. This need exists at a bone deep biological level. If that seems like poetry or hyperbole, imagine trying to do the smallest thing to accomplish the tiniest part of your day without the existence of others. 

This realization has never been more apparent as we do our best to manage life in our current connection-restricted world. We find that when we lose this essential element of ourselves, we lose part of our human survival kit. We survive but to truly thrive, we need to make an intentional effort to reignite connection.

Young woman waring a mask smiling and waving to create connection with another person.

We all know that odd feeling of passing another masked person in the hallway at work or the aisles of a grocery store. We’ve been trained by now to step far to the side, moving apart from one another, and it feels like a contracture, a sinking inside. But we also know the feeling, when we encounter another person, even wearing a mask, and that person looks at you and smiles at you. You can see the warmth in their eyes and it’s real. You can both feel it, and even that small connection brings life to your day. And we remember those moments.  

Continue reading “Reigniting Connection to Thrive”

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The Most Important Decision We Make

Posted on August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 by Promega

Today’s blog is written by Malynn Utzinger, Director of Integrative Practices, and Tim Weitzel, ESI Architect.

There’s an old story about a traveler who happens upon a stonemason. “What are you doing?” the traveler asks. The stonemason says wearily, “Can’t you see I am cutting and laying down stone? My back is killing me, and I can’t wait to stop.” Down the road, the traveler encounters a second stonemason and asks him the same question, “What are you doing?” This stonemason, more energetically, replies. “I’m building a wall. I am blessed to have a profession that allows me to support my family.” Walking on, the traveler encounters a third stonemason doing the same work. This stonemason is beaming with life. When the traveler asks what he is doing, he spreads his arm wide and exclaims, “I am building a cathedral that will uplift lives for centuries to come!”

Stonemason working on boulder with sledgehammer and iron
Continue reading “The Most Important Decision We Make”

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Optimism: A Gateway to Self-Actualization

Posted on June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 by Promega

Today’s blog is written by Malynn Utzinger, Director of Integrative Practices, and Tim Weitzel, ESI Architect.


Optimism sometimes gets a bad rap. Many people associate optimism with a sugar-coating of reality or a blind faith that all will be well. Worse, there are brands of optimism which imply that we have the power to transform the conditions of our lives through positive thinking alone, regardless of their deep-seated and/or systemic origins. However, evolving research and our own field work suggests that psychologically mature optimism, a pillar of emotional and social intelligence (ESI), is not only useful as a life-orientation, it is the gateway to self-actualization.

Continue reading “Optimism: A Gateway to Self-Actualization”

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Enlivening Ourselves In Times Of Change

Posted on May 14, 2020June 29, 2020 by Promega

Today’s blog is written by Malynn Utzinger, Director of Integrative Practices, and Tim Weitzel, ESI Architect.

The essence of emotional and social intelligence (ESI) is a mindful and intentional approach towards life. This translates into our ability to recognize our internal states in each moment and being able to discern whether a current inner state serves ourselves and others or whether it is self-defeating and potentially destructive to others. ESI is the capacity to choose to move towards a greener, more optimistic and empowering state. It is also being able to tune into other people’s experience with empathy and compassion in order to choose the most appropriate response to them, and it is knowing how to respond skillfully –at work and at home — in a way that leads to the best possible outcomes.

COVID-19 presents a challenge to our normal lives that has caused many to find themselves experiencing increased anxiety and contextual depression—a sluggish tiredness that mitigates against a sense of empowerment and aliveness. In times of stress and uncertainty, Emotional and Social Intelligence (ESI) helps us grow the capacity to face life as it is with vitality, optimism and compassion. This compassion, it must be said, is also meant to be extended to ourselves, when we come, even momentarily, to the limits of our optimism and vitality. This blog series is specifically intended to provide teachings and guidance for enlivening ourselves in challenging times, especially those brought about by COVID-19. This first installment addresses the topic of our inner multiplicity and the power this gives us to hold more of life and to function freely instead of becoming fractured. 

Continue reading “Enlivening Ourselves In Times Of Change”

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Move from Fear to Balance by Asking Yourself the Right Questions

Posted on April 10, 2020April 10, 2020 by Becca McKnight

Sometimes the right question in the right moment is all you need. Once, when I was teaching  a large group of people, a participant made a joking comment about me that got a laugh from the others. This joke sent me swirling down into a story about what kind of a person the participant was, what the people who overheard that comment must think of me and how that comment would surely undermine my credibility as a teacher. It was distracting and took energy away from my ability to be the teacher I wanted to be.

Thankfully my boss, who has an uncanny ability to know what to say asked me a question that immediately turned the whole situation on its head. “Could you think of any positive reasons the person may have said that?”

It took me a second to step out of my negative downward spiral, but I soon realized that the person and I have a congenial relationship and perhaps he made that comment because he knew I had a good sense of humor and was strong enough to handle the ribbing. Immediately I shifted from assuming everyone thought I was a rube to thinking everyone might see me as confident, funny and comfortable in my own skin. The sinking feeling in my stomach dissipated, and I could move on.

This story has been staying with me as I have been coping with the unknowns, fear, daily challenges and sweeping changes that come like waves day after day during this COVID-19 pandemic. During this time many opportunities to practice shifting my perspective have surfaced, and I have zeroed in on a few questions that have enabled me to pivot and see things in a different way.

Continue reading “Move from Fear to Balance by Asking Yourself the Right Questions”

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How To Talk To Your Friends And Family About The COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on March 20, 2020February 8, 2021 by Jordan Villanueva

Last updated February 8, 2021

As scientists, we often find ourselves fielding questions about events in the news that may or may not be related to our area of expertise. Especially during the ongoing pandemic, it can often be difficult to share accurate information without either sparking panic or understating the severity. Nonetheless, we want to support our friends and family in times of uncertainty, and one way to do that is by sharing accurate information about scientific topics.

We’ve gathered answers to a few frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 pandemic that we’ve received from family members. Have question we missed? Submit it in the comments and we’ll get back to you.

Continue reading “How To Talk To Your Friends And Family About The COVID-19 Pandemic”

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Why I Made the Switch: The Journey of Finding More than Just a Job

Posted on August 31, 2018August 31, 2018 by Promega

Today’s blog is contributed by guest blogger Caitlin Cavanaugh, Client Support Consultant with Promega North America.

Recently, I began a new role as a client support consultant at Promega. In this role, I’m responsible for all technical and sales support for the Promega portfolio in the New Jersey and Philidelphia area.

Before coming to Promega, I worked in a lab at a start-up company right out of college, then made my way into sales, where I worked for a leading life-science instrumentation company for thirteen years.

Working in the life science industry for years, I knew that Promega was always looking a step ahead to promote better science and was eager to be a part of that. Here’s why I decided to make the switch to Promega: Continue reading “Why I Made the Switch: The Journey of Finding More than Just a Job”

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For many of us, the pandemic has made our world much smaller. While that can feel isolating, it also provides us with a tremendous opportunity to pause and notice the beautiful moments of everyday life that we often overlook. This #WorldWildlifeDay, we’re celebrating some of the moments our colleagues have captured at the Promega campus, where we’re constantly inspired by our natural surroundings and the curious creatures that stop by. #WWD2021
Taking advantage of a few unseasonably warm days at the Promega headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. The blend of artwork and nature at our Fitchburg campus gives us space to recharge and expand our creativity. It also offers a great setting for a late afternoon walk. How do you stay inspired during the winter?
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