Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage and influence emotions—both your own and those of others. It goes beyond traditional IQ by focusing on the emotional and social dimensions of human behavior.
Emotional intelligence have capacity to:
- Perceive emotions accurately (in yourself and others).
- Understand emotions and their causes.
- Regulate emotions effectively to respond appropriately.
- Use emotions to guide thinking, problem-solving, and relationships.
Classic Definition:
- Salovey and Mayer (1990): “Emotional intelligence is the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide thinking and actions.”
- Daniel Goleman (1995): EI is a set of skills that determine how well we handle ourselves and our relationships.
Core Components (Daniel Goleman’s Model):
- Self-awareness – Recognizing your own emotions and their impact.
- Self-regulation – Managing impulses, stress, and emotional reactions.
- Motivation – Using emotions to stay focused and achieve goals.
- Empathy – Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Social skills – Building healthy relationships, communication, and conflict resolution.