Robin Hills, who holds an honorary doctorate in psychology, has over 40 years of experience in business, helping leaders improve their performance by becoming more self-aware and understanding others better. He is the Director of Ei4Change, a company that offers training and coaching focused on emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Ei4Change’s advanced programs in emotional intelligence are accredited by The Institute of Leadership. Robin is also registered with the British Psychology Society as a Test User for Occupational Ability and Personality (Levels A and B) and uses various profiling tools to assess personality traits, behaviors, and emotional intelligence.
The spark behind Ei4Change’s idea
Robin Hills has always been passionate about helping people develop and make the most of any situation. When he faced redundancy, he decided to use his skills and experience in a new way by creating Ei4Change. Instead of relying on traditional employment, which often demands specific qualifications and perceived experience, Robin believed in his determination and self-confidence. He knew that these factors were not obstacles to starting and growing a successful business that focused on his strengths.
Ei4Change’s offerings and consumer-driven evolution
Ei4Change offers a wide range of online courses focused on emotional intelligence, reaching over half a million students in more than 200 countries. These courses are designed based on real-world experience and address current business challenges. They provide practical tools and techniques that participants can start using right away. Ei4Change’s commitment to relevant and actionable content has made it a leader in emotional intelligence education worldwide.
Ei4Change’s early challenges and their solutions
Robin Hills started Ei4Change during the Great Recession of 2008 to 2009. While cash flow was a concern, the biggest challenge was establishing the business and finding clients interested in the training programs. With no track record and many organizations having limited budgets for training, it was difficult to gain traction. In the early stages, the focus was on networking with a wide range of people to become known, build relationships, and offer support. When a networking group didn’t exist, Robin created one, which helped to expand contacts, gain knowledge, and build credibility for Ei4Change.
The ideals shaping Ei4Change’s work culture and ethics
Like any successful company, Ei4Change’s culture is the foundation of its success. It influences team morale, motivation, and collaboration with both the team and clients, affecting productivity and innovation. Ei4Change values open communication recognizes and rewards contributions, and promotes a sense of purpose and belonging. By embracing diversity and inclusion, the company acknowledges the importance of each individual, regardless of background. This approach brings a variety of perspectives, fosters creative problem-solving, and drives greater innovation.
How does Ei4Change define success, and what factors contribute to it?
Success is about identifying what matters most and working towards achieving personal goals and aspirations. For Ei4Change, this means creating a meaningful impact and contributing positively to the world. Like many organizations, Ei4Change’s success relies on delivering quality results that meet customer needs. The company uses its skills and capabilities to adapt to market changes while prioritizing ethical practices, environmental responsibility, and social impact. Additionally, Ei4Change was well-positioned to benefit from the Covid pandemic. When the pandemic began, people sought online ways to develop their skills, and Ei4Change already offered several online courses. This unexpected opportunity underscored the importance of leveraging factors that contribute to success and making the most of available opportunities.
The unique aspect of Ei4Change
With emotional intelligence gaining recognition as a key skill for workplace success, Ei4Change provides a convenient way for people to learn and develop these skills, no matter their location or schedule. Emotional intelligence can be complex, involving the understanding of how emotions affect decisions and relationships. Ei4Change addresses this by focusing on practical applications rather than just theoretical concepts, helping participants build real-world emotional intelligence skills. Their courses are filmed in 1080p HD with clear audio and captions for non-native English speakers and the hard of hearing. Documents are available online and comply with ADA/Section 508 standards for those with visual impairments. Interactive quizzes enhance the learning experience, making the courses inclusive and engaging. They are designed for anyone looking to improve skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, stress management, mindfulness, critical thinking, and decision-making, among others.
A book that inspires Ei4Change’s success
There are many good books on emotional intelligence that delve into the topic in detail, but some can be quite academic and leave readers asking, “so what?” One of the standout books on emotional intelligence is Steven Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” Published a few years before emotional intelligence became widely recognized, this book offers practical insights and strategies that remain highly relevant today. Covey’s work emphasizes the importance of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, which aligns closely with the core principles of emotional intelligence. His ideas about habits and effectiveness continue to inspire and guide those looking to improve their emotional and professional skills.
Ei4Change’s future vision
The demand for online courses is growing and changing. In the coming years, Ei4Change plans to improve the user experience by adding more gamification and making the courses more interactive. They are also incorporating AI tools in useful ways to enhance the learning process. Additionally, Ei4Change is working on creating supportive communities where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from each other. This focus on interaction and support aims to make the learning experience more engaging and effective.
