About Emotional Intelligence
We all have some measure of Emotional Intelligence; some more than others.
It can be augmented through practice and by using the elements. Just like muscles in our bodies –if we do not use them they atrophy.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is composed of various attributes.
To have high EQ doesn’t mean that we excel at all of them. Indeed we may be very skilled at one aspect but lack skills elsewhere. The key is to have the skills we need for what we want to achieve and how.
This chart shows the components of Emotional Intelligence.
The outer ring – starting at the top and then work clockwise- indicates:-
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- Our abilities to recognize or feelings and thoughts. we often confuse whether we feel something versus whether we think something. for instance we might say “I feel ready to leave you”; although we use the word “feel” this is a thought and precursor to an action. we all have emotions and store them in our brains throughout our lives; thoughts on the other hand tend are often triggered by emotions and tend to be more rational and are stored in a different part of the brain. We all have emotions and thoughts and can expand them through practice, which improves our awareness of ourselves, and the awareness of others’ perspectives.
- Positive – Negative continuum. Some people see only a good side and others tend to focus on the negatives. This is a continuum. People with high Emotional Intelligence will perceive both sides and tend to be closer to the middle of the continuum.
- Focus on self or on the other continuum.
- Our abilities to recognize or feelings and thoughts. we often confuse whether we feel something versus whether we think something. for instance we might say “I feel ready to leave you”; although we use the word “feel” this is a thought and precursor to an action. we all have emotions and store them in our brains throughout our lives; thoughts on the other hand tend are often triggered by emotions and tend to be more rational and are stored in a different part of the brain. We all have emotions and thoughts and can expand them through practice, which improves our awareness of ourselves, and the awareness of others’ perspectives.
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We can boost your Emotional Intelligence by noticing our range of emotions available to us, and others. It is vital to control those emotions so that we act in a way that it true to ourselves.
We need to control our emotions so that they do not control us.
Intelligent use of your Emotions
Emotional Intelligence is having a greater awareness of our Emotions and more control over them; this then applies to our thoughts as they will follow feelings. We don’t need all aspects of Emotional Intelligence , but we do need a range, and if we do not practice them they will wither. Indeed, as Dr Polya writes in “Become Better” writes we need to practice our E.Q. skills- just as we strengthen our muscles by working out so that we are mentally fit and can act accordingly. This can maximize our effectiveness to meet our goals, and improve our communication as we gain greater control over our emotions. Moreover, improving our E.Q. skills boosts agility and adaptability to the challenges of the future.
Recruiters look for people with good emotional intelligence skills as they have more control over their feelings and thoughts and it improves their ability to communicate and work well in teams.
See Video– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrqO41C2_50&t=2s
© Dr Ann J. Polya, 2024