Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to both identify and regulate one’s own emotions, while also understanding the emotions of others.

It involves our ability to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Why is Emotional Intelligence Important?

Emotional intelligence can be defined as a person’s ability to manage their feelings so that those feelings are expressed appropriately and effectively. 

Emotional intelligence levels predict people’s ability to regulate themselves, manage other people, and achieve success.

Research shows a link between emotional intelligence and career success.  A high level of emotional intelligence at work can help you build relationships, reduce team stress in leadership roles, defuse conflict and improve job satisfaction.

What Are Examples Of Emotional Intelligence?

• Sharing your feelings with others.
• Being able to move on after making a mistake.
• To be able to say no when you need to.
• Being able to solve problems in ways that work for everyone.

What Are The Elements Of Emotional Intelligence?

• Self-awareness.
• Empathy.
• Self-regulation.
• Social skills.

What Are The Signs Of Emotional Intelligence?

• Getting along with, and having interest in others.
• Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses.
• Operating with integrity.
• Self-awareness of feelings.
• Self-motivation.
• Being present-focused.

Do All People Have Emotional Intelligence?

Although not everyone is born with it, and unlike IQ, emotional intelligence can be acquired and improved with practice.

How To Build Emotional Intelligence?

• Pay attention to how you behave.
• Practice observing how you feel.
• Question your own opinions.
• Take responsibility for your feelings.
• Take time to celebrate the positive.
• Don’t ignore the negative.

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Emotionally Intelligent?

• They have a strong sense of self-awareness.
• They embrace change.
• They show empathy toward others.
• They have balanced lives.
• They’re curious and eager to learn.
• They show gratitude for what they have.

How Do Emotionally Intelligent People Communicate?

They take the time to ask how things are going, or to make brief conversation.  They may ask if they can somehow make things smoother for others, or be of service to others.

By showing appropriate personal interest in others, they foster healthier and more genuine relationships.

Is Emotional Intelligence Just Empathy?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own and others’ emotions, while empathy is more specifically the ability to understand how others feel.

Is Emotional Intelligence Part Of IQ?

IQ tests measure our ability to solve problems, use logic, and grasp or communicate complex ideas. EQ tests measure our ability to recognize emotion in ourselves and others, and to use that awareness to guide our decisions.

What Are Some Traits Associated With People With High Emotional Intelligence?

• The ability to accurately identify their own emotions, as well as those of others.
• The ability to use emotions and apply them to tasks, like thinking and problem-solving.
• The ability to manage their emotions, including controlling their own, as well as the ability to cheer up or calm down another person.

What Are The Signs Of Low Emotional Intelligence?

• They try to control their emotions.
• They avoid talking about how they feel.
• They blindly follow their emotions.
• They criticize themselves for how they feel.
• They may pretend to be happy all the time.

What Controls Emotional Intelligence?

There are several components of our brain that are linked to being connected to emotional intelligence, including, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and frontal cortex, the amygdala, and the nucleus accumbens. 

The amygdala detects stress in our environment, while the prefrontal cortex regulates our reactions to that stress.

Final Thoughts

Self-awareness is about recognizing and understanding our emotions as well as appreciating how they affect those around us.

Take the time to interact with others in a more meaningful and inquisitive way.  Open yourself up to others and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable or show genuine emotion where appropriate.

Please comment or follow the links, thanks for reading.

Sources and other reading:

Difference Between the Amygdala and Prefrontal Cortex

Emotional Intelligence

The Science Of Emotions

What is Stoicism?

What is The Future of Mental Health?

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