What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence
is the ability to identify, use, understand,
and manage your emotions in positive ways
to relieve stress,
communicate effectively, empathize with others,
overcome challenges and defuse conflict.

This ability also allows us to recognize and understand
what others are experiencing emotionally.
This recognition and understanding is,
a nonverbal process that informs
thinking and influences how well you connect with others.

Emotional intelligence differs from how we think of
intellectual ability,
emotional intelligence is a learned—not acquired.
This learning can take place at any time in life
so the social and emotional skill set,
known as emotional intelligence,
is something we can all have.


Emotional intelligence is commonly
defined by 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.