Define the Key Elements of Emotional Intelligence

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence or EI is the capacity to be aware of, control and express one’s emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

Emotional intelligence is generally said to include at least three skills:

1. Emotional awareness, or the ability to identify and name one’s own emotions;
2. The ability to harness those emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and
3. The ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

People with a high degree of emotional intelligence know what they're feeling, what their emotions mean, and how these emotions can affect other people.

For leaders, having emotional intelligence is essential for success. After all, who is more likely to succeed – a leader who shouts at his team when he's under stress, or a leader who stays in control, and calmly assesses the situation?

Emotional intelligence is commonly defined by four attributes:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Social awareness– You have empathy. 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.
4. 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.

The more that you, as a leader, manage each of these areas, the higher your emotional intelligence. So, let's look at each element in more detail and examine how you can grow as a leader. 

Key Points

To be effective, leaders must have a solid understanding of how their emotions and actions affect the people around them. The better a leader relates to and works with others, the more successful he or she will be.

Take the time to work on self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Working on these areas will help you excel in the future!

I'm rooting for you!

Angela

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela M. Odom is a life and leadership coach, founder of The Better U Project brand, podcast host, proud Army veteran and the author of BRONCO STRONG: A Memoir of the Last Deployed Personnel Services Battalion and a contributing author to the book, "Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through The Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders". 

ONLINE: Website I Instagram I Facebook I LinkedIn I Twitter I You Tube