What is Emotional Intelligence, How to Become More Emotionally Intelligent and Its Importance?

Table of Content

• What is Emotional Intelligence
• Definition of Emotional Intelligence and Models to Measure It
• What are the Components of Emotional Intelligence?
• What are the Impacts of Emotional Intelligence?
• Emotional Intelligence Has the Following General Effects

What is Emotional Intelligence:

It is often said that emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, use, manage, understand and handle emotions. An individual with high emotional intelligence recognize their own emotions and those of others use emotional information to guide their actions and thinking, distinguish between different feelings and label them appropriately and adjusts emotions based on changing environments. The term was first used in 1964, but it gained popularity in 1995 when science journalist Daniel Goleman published the best-selling book Emotional Intelligence. According to Goleman, Emotional Intelligence is the mixture of skills and characteristics that make up how leaders perform.

There are a number of different models that measure Emotional Intelligence. Konstantinos V. Petrides developed the trait model in 2001 that measures behavioural dispositions and perceived abilities based on self-reporting. Developed in 2004 by Salovey and Mayer, the ability model emphasizes an individual's capacity for processing emotional information with regard to navigating the social environment. The original model of Goleman may now be regarded as a mixed model combining the ability element and the trait element of emotional intelligence. The field of emotion recognition, which refers to identifying emotions in the presence of nonverbal cues, has received more attention in recent years. Moreover, neuroscientific studies have attempted to characterize the neuronal mechanisms of emotional intelligence.

Research has shown that people with high Emotional Intelligence are more likely to be in good mental health, to achieve high performance at work, and to be good leaders, although no causation has been shown. Since emotional intelligence involves connecting one's own experiences to others, it is often equated with empathy. Individuals seeking to become better leaders have increasingly sought methods of developing emotional intelligence since its popularization in recent decades.

A source of criticism has been whether Emotional Intelligence is real intelligence, and if it is a more valid measure of intelligence than IQ and the Big Five personality traits. Even after controlling for IQ and personality, some analyses of Emotional Intelligence have found some validity

Definition of Emotional Intelligence and Models to Measure It:

Based on Salovey and Mayer's definition of emotional intelligence, it is "the capacity to recognize and understand different emotions within oneself and others, and to apply these emotions to guide mental processes and behavior". After further refinement, the definition was further broken down into four abilities: recognizing, using, understanding, and managing emotions. While distinct, they are interconnected. In addition to abilities to integrate intelligence, empathy, and emotions, emotional intelligence is also highly effective at understanding interpersonal dynamics. Although there is considerable disagreement regarding both the terminology and operationalizations of EI, the concept is widespread. Three popular approaches are:

• Ability Model
• Mixed Model
• Trait Model

A variety of instruments have been developed for assessing EI, based on different models. Most researchers agree that these measures tap different constructs, even though they may overlap in some cases.

What are the Components of Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence has four levels, according to several researchers: emotional perception, reasoning with emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions.

Perceiving Emotions: Identifying an emotion begins with accurately understanding it. This often requires an understanding of nonverbal signals including body language and facial expressions.

Reasoning with Emotions: Emotions can be used to influence thinking and learning processes. We react emotionally to things that capture our attention; our emotions help us prioritize what we pay attention to and prioritize.

Understanding Emotions: Each emotion has a different meaning. In the case of anger expressed by someone, the observer must understand the reasons for the anger expressed and what it might mean. A boss who is angry may not be happy with your work, or they may have spent the morning fighting with their partner, or they might have gotten a speeding ticket on their way to work that morning.

Managing Emotions: In order to achieve the highest level of emotional intelligence, one must manage emotions effectively. As part of emotional management, it is important to regulate emotions and respond appropriately as well as to others' emotions.

There are four branches in this model. The more basic processes are located at lower levels whereas the more complex processes are located at higher levels. The lowest levels of human functioning deal with interpreting and expressing emotion, while higher levels deal with regulating emotions and requiring conscious involvement.

What are the Impacts of Emotional Intelligence?

Social intelligence and emotional intelligence have become increasingly popular in recent years. School curriculums increasingly include programs related to social and emotional learning (SEL). As part of these initiatives, students will not only be helped with their health and well-being but will also be helped academically and prevented from bullying. The role emotional intelligence plays in daily life can be seen in countless examples.

It is Important to Think Before Reacting: A person with emotional intelligence knows emotions are powerful, but they are also temporary. As soon as an emotionally charged event occurs, such as becoming angry, it is wise to take a few minutes to collect one's thoughts. By doing this, everyone can calm their emotions and consider the arguments from all sides more rationally.

Improved Self-Awareness: People who have emotional intelligence are not only good at understanding the feelings of others but are also adept at understanding their own feelings as well. Individuals can consider the many factors contributing to their emotions through self-awareness.

Having Empathy for Others: Emotional intelligence is a great deal about being able to empathize and consider what others are feeling. If you were in the same situation, you would consider how you would respond.

How to Improve Emotional Intelligence: The importance of developing your emotional intelligence cannot be overstated, but how can you do this? The following tips may help.

You Should Listen: It is important to pay attention to what other people are feeling if you want to understand how they feel. Consider both verbal and non-verbal signals when listening to others. Messages can be conveyed in many ways through body language. Consider the different factors that might be contributing to a given emotion when you sense someone is feeling that way.

Show Empathy: To truly understand someone's perspective, you have to be able to put yourself in their shoes in addition to picking up on their emotions. Develop your ability to empathize with others. Try to imagine yourself in their shoes. Activities, such as these, can help you develop a deeper understanding of the emotions involved in a specific situation, and they may also help you develop stronger emotional skills in the future.

Reflect: Emotional intelligence involves the ability to rationalize your actions based on emotions. Identify your own emotions and their impact on your decisions and behaviour. Take into account what other people's emotions play when thinking about how they react.

This person feels the way they do for a reason. What causes them to feel that way? Are there any unknown factors that contributed to their reactions? Are your emotions different from theirs? Understanding emotions and their role in how people act and think may become easier as you explore such questions.

Emotional Intelligence Has the Following General Effects:

According to a 2008 review published in the Annual Review of Psychology, Higher emotional intelligence is positively correlated with the following:

• The ability to build relationships with other people is positively correlated with emotional intelligence among children and teens, and negatively with behaviour that deviates from social norms and antisocial behaviour measured both in and out of the classroom and according to reports by children themselves, family members as well as teachers.
• Improved social relations among adults: In adults with high emotional intelligence, there are lower levels of interpersonal aggression and problems, and a better sense of their own abilities as social beings.
• Individuals with high emotional intelligence are perceived as more pleasant, socially skilled, and empathic by others - People perceive individuals with high EI as more pleasant and empathic to be around.
• Teachers report that emotional intelligence correlates with higher academic achievement, however, once IQ is taken into account, grades do not tend to increase.
• The ability to negotiate and socialize more effectively in the workplace.
• Emotional intelligence is associated with the feeling of well-being, improved life satisfaction, and an increased sense of self-esteem. Additionally, poor health choices are negatively associated with emotional intelligence.
• People who have a good sense of self and make conscious decisions using both emotion and logic are more likely to be emotionally intelligent. It is ultimately the path to becoming self-actualized.
• Business leadership, commercial negotiation, and dispute resolution contexts have increasingly recognized the relevance and importance of emotional intelligence, and professional training and development now encompass skills related to understanding emotions and developing greater insight into emotional interactions.