Laurie Taylor Column

" Research suggests that what counts for today's academic is not high intelligence but high emotional intelligence " - The Times Higher, November 24

Good morning, Maureen

Morning, Professor Lapping

How are you this morning, Maureen?

What did you say?

I asked you how you were this morning.

I'm fine. Just fine. And how are you, Professor Lapping?

Forget about me, Maureen. Let's concentrate on you for a moment. How are you really?

I'm fine, Professor Lapping. Just fine. But thank you for asking. And now I'd better get on with next term's timetable.

Not so fast, Maureen. Work is important. Very important. But, hey, so are feelings. And understanding each other's feelings. What we call empathy. And for that we have to get away from conventional responses. Ask me again how I'm feeling.

How are you feeling, Professor Lapping?

Well, to tell the truth, Maureen, I'm feeling a little anxious about our RAE submission but this is tinged with some quiet sadness about coming to the end of another term and leavened with a growing sense of exhilaration about the challenges ahead.

Really?

That's right. So let's try again, shall we? How are you feeling, Maureen?

Well, to tell the truth, Professor Lapping, I'm feeling gutted about the amount of work I have to get through before the end of term and that's leavened with a downright disgust at the complete inability of academics in this department to carry out straightforward administrative tasks and tinged with a raging anger at the pittance I receive for having held this department together almost single-handedly for the past 15 years.

Thank you, Maureen. I think that's enough feelings for today.

You'd like me to get back to next term's timetable?

I have a feeling that might be best.