It's Sunday, a day out with friends. Today we're meeting up with friends we haven't seen for a few years. It's a warm and affectionate reunion. After the inevitable "How are you?", "How are your kids?", "How's work?", we quickly switch to gossip: "Haven't you heard from John? Oh, you know, he's got... and his wife... and Bob got this problem, and Jess has been taken in by...". This moment of joyous venting lasted for several hours, with everyone trying to share the most sarcastic story, encouraged by glasses of wine and red meat.

I listen, but I can't laugh. I'm indisposed by this outpouring of mockery. I feel like I'm reading a newspaper or listening to the news. Gently, without expressing my frustration, I leave the meeting wondering what's going on inside me. 

Have I become antisocial? 

In fact, I've simply developed my emotional intelligence. Like those with a high emotional quotient, I enjoy:

• focusing on the positive
• surrounding myself with positive people
• setting limits and asserting myself
• thinking about the future and leaving the past behind
• taking an interest in ways of making my life happier and more fulfilling
• choose how I spend my energy
• learn from each experience
• move towards greater and greater independence

The antisocial person would be the one who, driven by his ego of omnipotence, isolates himself and judges others. Here, it's all about self-respect and empathy. My friends are on their way, and this laughter is a welcome release from a life full of pressures and shortcomings. My silence, accompanied by a kind smile, is a simple message of respect for the relationship. I'm not trying to reason with them or impose change. By leaving calmly, I am planting a seed of awareness without worrying whether it will bear fruit. I'm doing it for myself and my values. They're still my friends and I'll be seeing them again to let off steam. Maybe we'll talk more about ourselves... in any case, I will.

The conscious leader is both independent and interdependent. They lead their lives while being acutely aware that they are evolving thanks to others, who are merely mirrors reflecting their own vulnerability.