Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life

by Susan David

A simple bid for a partner’s attention: “There’s a pretty boat.” A bid for a partner’s interest: “Didn’t your dad sail a boat like that?” A bid for enthusiastic engagement: “Hey, with a boat like that, we could sail around the world.” A bid for extended conversation: “Have you called your brother lately? Did he ever get his boat fixed?” A bid for play: Rolling up a newspaper and bopping a partner lightly on the head, saying, “There. I’ve been meaning to do that all day.” A bid for humor: “A rabbi, a priest, and a psychiatrist go out sailing . . .” A bid for affection: “I need a hug,” or something similar, but often nonverbal. A bid for emotional support: “I still can’t understand why I didn’t get that promotion.” A bid for self-disclosure: “What was it like when you sailed with your grandfather growing up?”