Emotional intelligence (EI), also known as emotional quotient (EQ), is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It is a critical skill that can have a profound impact on your personal and professional life.
History of emotional intelligence (EI)
The concept of emotional intelligence was popularised by Daniel Goleman, a psychologist and science journalist. In 1995, he published a book called “Emotional Intelligence,” which introduced the concept to a wider audience and helped to establish it as a key factor in personal and professional success.
His work on emotional intelligence has been widely influential and has helped to shape the way that people think about and understand emotions. Goleman argued that emotional intelligence is just as important, if not more so, than traditional measures of intelligence, such as IQ. He also suggested that emotional intelligence can be developed and improved upon.
Daniel Goleman’s work on emotional intelligence has been widely cited and has had a significant impact on the fields of psychology, education, and business. His ideas have been embraced by a wide range of organisations and individuals and have contributed to a greater understanding of the role of emotions in human behaviour.
What is emotional intelligence (EI)?
The emotional intelligence is made up of four key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills.
1. Self-awareness
Self-awareness refers to the ability to recognise and understand your own emotions and how they influence your thoughts and behaviours. It also involves being aware of your strengths and weaknesses and being able to accurately assess your own emotional state. Developing self-awareness requires a degree of introspection and self-reflection. It makes you pay attention to your emotions as they arise, and learn to recognise the triggers that lead to certain emotions. With practice, you can become more attuned to your own emotional states and better able to understand the impact they have.
2. Self-regulation
The ability to manage emotions and control your feelings, rather than being controlled by them, is the basis behind self-regulation. With this, you are able to delay gratification, control impulses, and manage stress. Self-regulation requires discipline and the ability to resist acting on your initial emotional responses. It also involves coping with negative emotions in a healthy way, rather than bottling them up or allowing them to control your actions.
3. Motivation
Motivation is the drive to achieve a goal or accomplish an objective. Emotionally intelligent individuals are often highly motivated and able to harness their emotions to pursue their goals with determination and perseverance. You are able to channel your emotions in a positive way, using them to fuel your efforts and stay focused on your goals.
4. Social skills
This refers to the ability to communicate and interact with others effectively. Such social awareness allows you to empathize with others, manage conflicts and build strong relationships. You are able to read social cues and understand the emotions of those around you, which enables you to respond in a way that is appropriate and sensitive to others’ feelings. In addition, you are able to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with others.
Why is emotional intelligence important in the workplace?
EI can have a major impact on your personal relationships. Individuals with high EI tend to have better communication skills and are more adept at navigating conflicts and resolving them in a healthy way. This leads to more positive and fulfilling relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners.
EI is critical in the workplace for a number of reasons:
Improved job performance
Individuals with high emotional intelligence tend to be more resilient and able to handle stress in a healthy way, which can lead to improved job performance. They are better able to navigate conflicts and work effectively with others. This means increased productivity and success in the workplace.
Stronger leadership skills
Effective leaders are usually emotionally intelligent leaders. They are able to inspire and motivate their team to achieve goals, and create a positive and supportive work environment. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and better teamwork.
Enhanced communication skills
Clear communication is vital. Individuals with high EI are able to read cues and understand the emotions of a group. This sensitivity enables them to respond appropriately, avoid aggressive communication styles, alleviate tension, and build bridges.
Greater job satisfaction
Emotionally intelligent individuals tend to experience higher levels of job satisfaction, as they are able to effectively manage their emotions and work effectively with others. This can lead to a more positive and fulfilling work experience.
By developing your emotional intelligence, you can improve your effectiveness in the workplace, improve interpersonal skills and job performance, and have a more successful and fulfilling career.
Does EI impact leadership?
As mentioned, EI is a major component of leadership skills. Leaders with high EI tend to be more effective at motivating their teams. With social awareness, they are able to create an amiable work environment where support and collaboration thrive. They enable better teamwork and job performance. Team members are assured that a leader with a higher EI understands them better. They respond fairly and are able to manage any conflicts that arise. Here are more examples of how higher emotional intelligence can affect leadership:
Better communication
Again, we return to the importance of communication. Leaders with the cognitive ability to understand emotions can effectively reach team members of various dispositions. Such leaders foster better communication among team members, leading to improved performance, collaboration, and less drama.
Increased motivation
Leaders with high EI are able to perceive and tap into what motivates their team members. This is different from manipulation. With their interpersonal skills, emotionally intelligent leaders can drive their teams toward productivity and success. They are able to recognise and respond to the emotional needs of their team members. They provide support when needed.
Conflict resolution
Emotionally intelligent leaders are able to effectively manage conflicts and resolve them in a way that is fair and beneficial for all parties involved. This can lead to a more harmonious work environment and improved teamwork.
Stronger relationships
The ability of emotionally intelligent leaders to build strong relationships with their team members can lead to increased job satisfaction, job performance, and positive work culture. They are able to relate to their team members, which can foster a sense of trust and respect.
Emotional intelligence enables leaders to effectively communicate with and motivate their team, manage conflicts, and build strong relationships. The ability to manage people and understand their emotions will help leaders to create a positive work environment and achieve success in a leadership role at any level.
How is EI linked to job performance?
Research has shown that individuals with high EI tend to be better able to achieve personal goals, have better job performance, and are more likely to be successful in their careers.
EI is associated with a number of positive outcomes in the workplace:
Improved communication skills
Beyond your team or organisation, good communication is also essential when dealing with external parties such as clients and business partners. Strong relationships with these groups can lead to better sales, positive feedback, and impactful partnerships.
Increased resilience
Modern humans are surrounded by all manner of stressors at the workplace. However, emotionally intelligent individuals are able to handle stress in a healthy way, which can improve their ability to cope with challenges and setbacks at work. This can lead to better job performance and increased productivity.
Enhanced problem-solving skills
Emotionally intelligent individuals are able to effectively manage their emotions. They do not get bogged down. They use their emotions to think creatively and find solutions to problems. Thus, this leads to better job performance.
Stronger leadership abilities
Whether or not you are officially in a position of leadership, those with a higher emotional intelligence tend to make effective leaders. When you are able to move people to work cooperatively towards a bigger goal, you are a leader. With better interpersonal skills, you can bring yourself and your team toward higher job performance and better teamwork.
What are ways to improve your EI?
Here are some key strategies for building your EI, and improving your ability to manage emotions and connect with others:
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It can help to increase self-awareness and improve emotional regulation. You can practice mindfulness through activities such as meditation, yoga or simply taking a few minutes to focus on your breathing.
- Seek out personal growth opportunities: Always be on the lookout for personal growth opportunities. Personal development courses or therapy can be a great way to improve emotional intelligence. These types of experiences allow you to explore your emotions and learn new skills to manage them effectively.
- Practice self-reflection: Take time to reflect on your emotions and how they influence your thoughts and behaviours. Ask yourself questions such as “What was I feeling in this situation?” and “How did my emotions influence my actions?”
- Learn from your experiences: Reflect on your experiences and the emotions that accompanied them, whether positive or negative. Think about what you learned from these experiences and how you can apply that knowledge to future situations.
- Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from others on your emotional intelligence and listen to what they have to say. This can help you to gain insight into how you are perceived by others. It will help identify areas for improvement.
- Practice empathy: Try to put yourself in others’ shoes and understand their emotions and perspectives. This can help you to develop your social skills and improve your ability to relate to others. Also, maintain active listening and eye contact when you speak to someone. This will help you pick up feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and joy in the other person and respond appropriately.
- Manage stress: Effective stress management is an important component of EI. This can involve finding healthy ways to cope with stress, such as through exercise, relaxation techniques, or seeking support from friends and loved ones.
By implementing these strategies, you can improve your emotional intelligence, cognitive ability, and social skills, and develop a stronger foundation for personal and professional success.
Aim to improve your emotional intelligence
To conclude, emotional intelligence is a critical skill that can have a profound impact on both personal and professional relationships. It involves the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By developing EI, you can improve communication, navigate conflicts effectively, and build strong relationships. With a strong foundation in emotional intelligence, you can lead a more fulfilling and successful life. Create a plan to develop and improve your emotional intelligence.
If you’d like some guidance, look for a mentor or seek executive coaching. Book an appointment with us.
Kerryn Martorana
(B. Psych, Hons) (ICF, PCC) MAPS, JP Managing DirectorCoaching is available
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