Emotional intelligence essentially refers to a person’s interpersonal and communication skills, and their own self-awareness. It is key to personal and career success.
Assertiveness is a sign of high emotional intelligence.
In the workplace, a good EQ (emotional quotient) has become as highly valued, if not more so than a high IQ. For good reason too. A highly intelligent person is little use if they can’t control their anger and aggression, or if they’re so passive they don’t put forward their great ideas.
The Oxford Dictionary describes emotional intelligence as “The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.”
It’s about understanding your own emotions and being able to express them effectively and appropriately, and understanding the emotions of others and how to best deal with them.
According to Psychology Today, those with high emotional intelligence have:
1. Emotional awareness, including the ability to identify their own emotions and those of others.
2. The ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problems solving.
3. The ability to manage emotions, including the ability to regulate their own emotions, and the ability to cheer up or calm down another person.
To test how emotionally intelligent you are, take this quick quiz.
People with high emotional intelligence are a dream to work with and for. Their behaviour is consistent, calm, confident and empathetic.
If you want to increase your chances of landing your ideal job, make sure you invest in developing your emotional intelligence just as you do your technical competencies.
