Understanding Emotional Intelligence

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence (E.I.) is our ability to acquire and apply knowledge from our emotions and the emotions of others in order to solve problems and live a more successful, fulfilling life. Unlike IQ, EI skills can be developed and improved over time.

Since associates within any work organisation usually come from diverse educational, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, the opportunity also exists to focus on individual differences in motivation and behaviour.

By using the main aspects of EI, a motivating environment can be created through training as it will be presented in a method to establish each individual motivation factors.

Daniel Goleman in his best-selling book Emotional Intelligence has brought to the world's attention the findings of new brain research suggesting that emotions, not IQ, may be the true measure of human intelligence. "Emotional intelligence may be the best predictor of success in life, redefining what it means to be smart."

The following is derived from the Emotional Competency Inventory. There are twenty EI competencies within the major four listed below.

1. Self Awareness - Recognising ones emotions and their effects. Knowing one's strength and limits. Having a strong sense of one's self-worth.
2. Self Management - the capacity to soothe oneself, to shake off rampant anxiety, gloom, or irritability. Keeping disruptive emotions and impulses under control.
3. Social Awareness - The awareness of other's feelings needs and concerns. Empathy - being attuned to the subtle social signals that indicate what others need or want. Sensing other's development needs, and bolstering their abilities.
4. Social Skills - Wielding interpersonal influence tactics. Creating a shared vision and synergy in teamwork, working with others toward shared goals. Initiating or managing change. Inspiring and guiding groups of people.