Varun’s talk explores emotional intelligence through a personal lens, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing emotions. Using an exercise to visualize one’s 6-year-old self, the speaker highlights the four pillars of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management—and shares strategies like metacognition to reflect before reacting. The key message: Mastering emotions leads to better relationships and decision-making, allowing emotions to guide rather than control our lives. Varun is a children's book author, bestselling author, and creative entrepreneur who is enthusiastic about turning life's messiness into lessons that have purpose. As Emomee's co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, he uses creative playkits and captivating storytelling to assist parents and kids in developing critical life skills like emotional intelligence. Varun examines teachings on curiosity, growth, and leadership in his books and podcast "Take a Pause", providing insights that can motivate kids and adults alike. One of the most well-known business podcasts in India, "Advertising Is Dead," is hosted by Varun who is also the co-founder and content leader of The Glitch, an independent creative agency with its headquarters in Mumbai. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx