Emotional Intelligence

For decades, a lot of emphasis has been put on certain aspects of intelligence such as logical reasoning, Math skill, spatial skills, understanding analogies, verbal skills etc. Researches were puzzled by the fact that while IQ could predict to a significant degree academic performance and, to some degree, Professional, and personal success, there was something missing in the equation. Some of those with fabulous IQ scores were doing poorly in life; one could say that they were wasting their potential by thinking, behaving and communicating in a way that hinder their chances to succeed.

                One of the major missing parts in the success equation is emotional intelligence, a concept made popular by the groundbreaking book by Daniel Goleman, Which is based on years of research by numerous scientist such as Peter Salovery, John Meyer, Howard Gardner, Robert Sternberg and Jack Block, Just to name few. For various reasons and thanks to wide range of abilities, People with high emotional intelligence tend to be more successful in life than those with lower emotional quotient even if their classical IQ is Average.

Emotional Intelligence refers to an ability to recognize the meaning of emotions and their relationship and to reason and problem-solve based on them. Emotional intelligence is involved in the capacity to perceive emotions, assimilate emotion related feelings, understand the information of those emotions, and manage them.

What Emotional intelligence is not?

• Congestive intelligence (IQ)
• Aptitude
• Achievement
• Vocational interest
• Personality
• Static – Result can change over time

Four areas of Emotional Intelligence

Self-Awareness
·         Emotional self-awareness :-Recognizing emotions and their impact
·         Accurate self-assessment:- Knowing one’s strength and limits  
·         Self-confidence:-A strong sense of one’s self worth and capabilities

 Self-management

·         Emotional Self-control :- Controlling disruptive impulses and emotions
·         Transparency:- Displaying Honesty and integrity ; Trust worthiness
·         Adaptability:- Flexible in adapting to changing situation
·         Achievement :- the drive to improve performance based on inner standards of excellence
·         Initiative :- Readiness to act and seize opportunities
·         Optimism:- Seeing the upside in all events

Social Awareness

·         Empathy:- sensing the emotions of others ;Understanding their perspective and taking an interest in their concerns
·         Organizational awareness:- reading the currents, decision networks , and policies aat the organizational level
·         Service :- Recognizing and meeting the needs of followers

Relationship Management

·         Inspirational Leadership :- Guiding and motivation using a compelling vision
·         Influence:- Wielding a range of tactics for persuasion
·         Developing others :-Bolstering the ability s of others through guidance and feedback
·         Change catalyst :- Initiating , managing and leading in a new direction
·         Conflict Management :- Resolving Disagreements
·         Building Bonds :- Cultivating and maintaining a web of relationship
·         Team Work and collaboration :- cooperation and team work

How does Emotional Quotient (EQ) scores over IQ

1.       EQ is much less fixed than IQ
2.       EQ is Broader than IQ
3.       IQ is industry based , whereas EQ is emotional based
4.       EQ induces the hunger to learn and gain Knowledge
5.       EQ can develop over time
6.       Training , Coaching and feedback substantially improves EQ

You can develop Emotional Intelligence

®     “Rewire” your response to feelings
®     Change how you think about this
®     Alter your Behavior

Nine strategies for Promoting EI
1.       Taking time for mindfulness
2.       Recognizing and naming emotions
3.       Understanding the cause of feeling
4.       Differentiating between emotions and the need to take action
5.       Preventing depression through “Learned optimism”
6.       Managing anger through learned behavior or distraction techniques
7.       Listening for the lessons of feeling
8.       Using “Gut feeling” in decision making
9.       Developing listening skills

Importance of Emotion Intelligence in Organizations:

·         The higher you go, the more EI matters … the more social competence matters
·         50% of work satisfaction is determined by the relationship a worker have with his/ her boss
·         EI is a prerequisite for effective leadership across borders. It requires a high level of self-mastery and people skill ; Ability to put yourself into the position of others  

Who is Emotionally Intelligent; how does it matter?
                Emotional intelligence improves an individual’s social effectiveness. The higher the emotional intelligence the better is the social relations

          The high EI individuals, most certainly can better perceive emotions, use them in thought, understand their meanings, and manage emotions than others. Solving emotional problem likely requires less cognitive effort for this individual. The person also tends to be somewhat higher in verbal, social, and other intelligence, particularly if the individual scored higher in the understanding emotions portion of EI. The individual tends to be more open and agreeable than others. The High Ei person is drawn to occupations involving social interactions such as teaching and counseling more than to occupations involving clerical or administrative task.

        The High EI individuals, relative to others ,is less Apt to engage in problem behaviors and avoid self-destructive ,negative behaviors such as smoking ,excessive drinking ,Drug abuse or violent episodes with others . The high EI person is more likely to have processions of sentimental attachment around and to have more positive social interaction, particularly in the individual scored highly on emotional management. Such individuals may also be more adept at describing motivational goals, aims, and missions
       Emotional Intelligence has become an important consideration in HR Planning, Job Profiling, Recruitment interviewing and selection, management development, customer relations and customer service.