Emotional intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence impacts many different aspects of your daily life, such as the way you behave and the way you interact with others.

Definition

Emotional intelligence or EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people around you. People with a high degree of emotional intelligence know what they're feeling, what their emotions mean, and how these emotions can affect other people.

Components of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence consists of four attributes:

• Self-awareness – You recognize your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior. You know your strengths and weaknesses, and have self-confidence.

• Self-management – You’re able to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Social awareness – You can understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognize the power dynamics in a group or organization.

• Relationship management – You know how to develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team, and manage conflict.

Importance of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is crucial for both personal and professional development. It helps individuals to:

• Communicate better – As it improves your communication, emotional intelligence can help you in your relationships.

• Reduce anxiety and stress – If you're able to manage your stress levels, you're less likely to get anxious and can tackle problems or difficulties more effectively.

• Defuse conflicts – Emotional intelligence can help you to navigate social complexities, influence others, and avoid or resolve conflicts.

• Empathize with others – This is essential for understanding and meeting clients' needs, being a capable manager, and fostering stronger personal relationships.

• Overcome challenges – Emotional intelligence can help you turn intention into action, in order to get results and achieve your goals.

See Also

• Emotion
• Intelligence
• Psychology
• Mental Health

References

Emotional intelligence Resources
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