As the world moves further into the future, technological advances, new industries, and different ways of thinking have grown exponentially. While the world has been growing, the concept of emotional intelligence is becoming more and more recognized, with many studies and articles being written about this increasingly appreciated aspect of our lives.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, is defined as the ability to identify, assess, and manage one’s own emotions, emotions of those around them, and the emotions of society as a whole. It is a measure of how well a person can display and navigate their emotions when dealing with real-world situations.
According to psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman, there are five components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Self-awareness is the ability to identify and comprehend one’s own feelings, perceive their origin and understand the implications of the emotions. Self-regulation is the ability to temper intense feelings and remain responsive in a situation. Motivation is what allows someone to face challenges and solve problems. Empathy is a person’s capacity to recognize emotions in others and respond accordingly. Finally, social skills are the capacity to understand and interact with people.
The Benefits of Emotional Intelligence
Having a high level of emotional intelligence gives a person many life-enhancing benefits. Some of the most recognizable benefits are outlined below.
Leadership
Leaders have to understand the dynamics of large-scale social situations, the motivation mechanisms of men and women, and the various methods to maximize a group effort towards a common goal. Those with a high level of emotional intelligence can lead in a more balanced, level-headed fashion, with an understanding of how to handle challenges and conflicts.
Ability to Receive Feedback
It takes a strong and resilient person to accept feedback. Those with an understanding of how to manage their emotions, as well as the motivation to better themselves, are more likely to accept and learn from criticism.
Relationships
The ability to recognize, understand, and recognize the emotions of others is a huge part of maintaining relationships. It is important to know when to push and when to pull back, when to offer advice and when to remain silent, and when to be serious and when to lighten the mood. Those who possess these skills find relationships much easier to maintain.
Stress Management
Stressful situations make it difficult for a person to keep their composure. Those who are able to identify the emotions associated with stress and manage those emotions properly are better able to stay focused and make the best decision in these situations.
Working in Teams
A successful team requires many things from its members, such as collaboration, communication, and trust. Those who demonstrate an understanding of the emotions of their teammates and can handle their own emotions will naturally be better team players.
How to Develop Emotional Intelligence
Fortunately, even if one started with a lower level of EQ, they can still train themselves to become more emotionally aware.
Recognizing Emotions
The first step is to become aware of the emotions that arise in different situations. Once a person can recognize the emotions in others as well as themselves, they can then start to understand the root causes of these emotions and learn how to respond accordingly.
It also helps to recognize what situations trigger certain emotional responses, as this knowledge can help a person manage their emotions more effectively in the future. This can be done through writing and reflecting on those situations, or even meditation.
Note Take-Away Thoughts
Having emotional intelligence can give a person an advantage in any situation, from managing stress to forging relationships. It is important to recognize when emotions are taking over, and to temper those feelings before making decisions.
Although one might come into the world with varying levels of emotional intelligence, there are still ways to enhance one’s EQ. By recognizing emotions, understanding the root cause, and managing our emotions, we can develop and hone our emotional intelligence over time.
At its essence, emotional intelligence is about being aware of self and others. It is a powerful tool that can lend itself to many aspects of life, such as relationships, work, and handling stress. Thankfully, it is something that anyone can train and develop, regardless of one’s starting EQ.
In a world that is becoming more globalized, those with a higher level of EQ will find a much smoother transition into and out of new environments and situations. Emotional intelligence can also make it easier to keep relationships and build a strong support system.
Having emotional intelligence means having the ability to understand, interact, and determine appropriate approaches and solutions to life’s situations. It is a key skill to possess and anyone can develop emotional intelligence with the proper training and motivation.
