As an instructor, it is important for me to understand the various types of intelligence and seek to understand the types of intelligence that my students use so I can provide learning opportunities that tap into those types of intelligence to make their learnig more applicable. I think emotional intelligence and reflective thinking go hand in hand: it's the ability to recognize that your thinking and assumptions aren't the only way to solve a problem. It requires the humility to be willing to secure additional information from other sources before making a decision. In the real world, it often requires that I seek the advice of other disciplines in the health profession to get a more holistic view of the problem and determine the best solution. It requires looking at the same problem from multiple angles.
There are many types of intelligences. The best idea is using reflective thinking as part of the final analysis.
Wendy's approach reminds me of listening first as a way to "lead" as SNCC embodied (one commercial, one far deeper and profound, but the idea of reflection, listening, not having pre-conceived assumptions, similar).
Reflective thinking is very helpful in the critical thinking process.