What is Emotional Intelligence ?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups.Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions.The earliest roots of emotional intelligence can be traced to Charles Darwin's work on the importance of emotional expression for survival and, second, adaptation.
Since 1990, Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer have been the leading researchers on emotional intelligence. In their influential article "Emotional Intelligence," they defined emotional intelligence as, "the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions" .Following their continuing research, their initial definition of
Emotional intelligence
was revised to "The ability to perceive emotion, integrate emotion to facilitate thought, understand emotions and to regulate emotions to promote personal growth."
Substantial disagreement exists regarding the definition of Emotional intelligence,with respect to both terminology and operationalizations. Currently, there are three main models of
Emotional intelligence
:
- Ability model
- Mixed model
- Trait model
Ability model : Salovey and Mayer
The model proposes that individuals vary in their ability to process information of an emotional nature and in their ability to relate emotional processing to a wider cognition. This ability is seen to manifest itself in certain adaptive behaviors. The model identified four different factors of emotional intelligence:
Perceiving emotions – the ability to detect and decipher emotions in faces, pictures, voices,body langauge and cultural artifacts—including the ability to identify one's own emotions. Perceiving emotions represents a basic aspect of emotional intelligence, as it makes all other processing of emotional information possible.
Using emotions – Using emotions to promote thinking and cognitive activity. Emotions help prioritize what we pay attention and react to; we respond emotionally to things that garner our attention.The emotionally intelligent person can capitalize fully upon his or her changing moods in order to best fit the task at hand.
Understanding emotions – the ability to comprehend emotion language and to appreciate complicated relationships among emotions. For example, understanding emotions encompasses the ability to be sensitive to slight variations between emotions, and the ability to recognize and describe how emotions evolve over time.
Managing emotions – the ability to regulate emotions in both ourselves and in others, responding appropriately and responding to the emotions of others are all important aspect of emotional management. Therefore, the emotionally intelligent person can harness emotions, even negative ones, and manage them to achieve intended goals.
The model proposes that individuals vary in their ability to process information of an emotional nature and in their ability to relate emotional processing to a wider cognition. This ability is seen to manifest itself in certain adaptive behaviors. The model identified four different factors of emotional intelligence:
Perceiving emotions – the ability to detect and decipher emotions in faces, pictures, voices,body langauge and cultural artifacts—including the ability to identify one's own emotions. Perceiving emotions represents a basic aspect of emotional intelligence, as it makes all other processing of emotional information possible.
Using emotions – Using emotions to promote thinking and cognitive activity. Emotions help prioritize what we pay attention and react to; we respond emotionally to things that garner our attention.The emotionally intelligent person can capitalize fully upon his or her changing moods in order to best fit the task at hand.
Understanding emotions – the ability to comprehend emotion language and to appreciate complicated relationships among emotions. For example, understanding emotions encompasses the ability to be sensitive to slight variations between emotions, and the ability to recognize and describe how emotions evolve over time.
Managing emotions – the ability to regulate emotions in both ourselves and in others, responding appropriately and responding to the emotions of others are all important aspect of emotional management. Therefore, the emotionally intelligent person can harness emotions, even negative ones, and manage them to achieve intended goals.
Mixed model : Daniel Goleman
The model introduced by Daniel Goleman focuses on Emotional Intelligence as a wide array of competencies and skills that drive leadership performance. Goleman's model outlines five main Emotional Intelligence constructs :
The model introduced by Daniel Goleman focuses on Emotional Intelligence as a wide array of competencies and skills that drive leadership performance. Goleman's model outlines five main Emotional Intelligence constructs :
Self-awareness – the ability to know one's emotions, strengths, weaknesses, drives, values and goals and recognize their impact on others while using gut feelings to guide decisions.( (emotional self-awareness, accurate self-assessment and self confidence)
Self-regulation – involves controlling or redirecting one's disruptive emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances.(emotional self-control, transparency, trustworthiness, adaptability, achievement orientation, initiative, optimism, conscientiousness)
Social skill – managing relationships to move people in the desired direction.
Empathy - considering other people's feelings especially when making decisions and
Motivation - being driven to achieve for the sake of achievement.
Emotional Intelligence Traits
The research of Psychologists, Medical Doctors and other researchers have found thirteen key emotional intelligence traits.
EMOTIONAL ENERGY: The amount of energy available to cope with frustration, conflict, or pressure.
EMOTIONAL STRESS: The amount of inner stress experienced.
OPTIMISM: To consider what is positive or right; to be optimistic.
SELF-ESTEEM: To value self and to be self-accepting.
COMMITMENT TO WORK: To work hard; to get things done; to take on responsibility.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL: To think things through; to concentrate on details; to be thorough; to be careful; to strive to be accurate.
DESIRE FOR CHANGE: To create changes or improvements in one's environment; to vary one's patterns of behavior.
COURAGE: To do what is challenging, or unfamiliar; to risk injury, loss, hardship, or discomfort to reach a desired goal.
SELF-DIRECTION: To make decisions/goals; to set priorities; to initiate action.
ASSERTIVENESS: Saying what one thinks. Trying to convince others. Telling others what one wants, needs, requires, or expects. Exercising power and authority. Engaging in interpersonal conflict. Confronting, openly disagreeing, saying no, taking unpopular positions.
TOLERANCE: To be tolerant, patient, accepting, and cooperative.
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS: To be considerate, understanding, helpful, honest, and responsible.
SOCIABILITY: To be outgoing and sociable. To seek and to enjoy others' company and conversation.
Facets --------High Scorers in Emotional Intelligence are..
Adaptability --- flexible and willing to adapt to new conditions.
Assertiveness ---.forthright, frank, and willing to stand up for their rights.
Emotion perception (self and others)---clear about their own and other people’s feelings.
Emotion expression --- capable of communicating their feelings to others.
Emotion management (others) --- capable of influencing other people’s feelings.
Emotion regulation --- capable of controlling their emotions.
Impulsiveness (low) --- reflective and less likely to give in to their urges.
Relationships --- capable of having fulfilling personal relationships.
Self-esteem --- successful and self-confident.
Self-motivation --- driven and unlikely to give up in the face of adversity.
Social awareness --- accomplished networkers with excellent social skills.
Stress management --- capable of withstanding pressure and regulating stress.
Trait empathy --- capable of taking someone else’s perspective.
Trait happiness --- cheerful and satisfied with their lives.
Trait optimism --- confident and likely to “look on the bright side” of life.
The research of Psychologists, Medical Doctors and other researchers have found thirteen key emotional intelligence traits.
EMOTIONAL ENERGY: The amount of energy available to cope with frustration, conflict, or pressure.
EMOTIONAL STRESS: The amount of inner stress experienced.
OPTIMISM: To consider what is positive or right; to be optimistic.
SELF-ESTEEM: To value self and to be self-accepting.
COMMITMENT TO WORK: To work hard; to get things done; to take on responsibility.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL: To think things through; to concentrate on details; to be thorough; to be careful; to strive to be accurate.
DESIRE FOR CHANGE: To create changes or improvements in one's environment; to vary one's patterns of behavior.
COURAGE: To do what is challenging, or unfamiliar; to risk injury, loss, hardship, or discomfort to reach a desired goal.
SELF-DIRECTION: To make decisions/goals; to set priorities; to initiate action.
ASSERTIVENESS: Saying what one thinks. Trying to convince others. Telling others what one wants, needs, requires, or expects. Exercising power and authority. Engaging in interpersonal conflict. Confronting, openly disagreeing, saying no, taking unpopular positions.
TOLERANCE: To be tolerant, patient, accepting, and cooperative.
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS: To be considerate, understanding, helpful, honest, and responsible.
SOCIABILITY: To be outgoing and sociable. To seek and to enjoy others' company and conversation.
Facets --------High Scorers in Emotional Intelligence are..
Adaptability --- flexible and willing to adapt to new conditions.
Assertiveness ---.forthright, frank, and willing to stand up for their rights.
Emotion perception (self and others)---clear about their own and other people’s feelings.
Emotion expression --- capable of communicating their feelings to others.
Emotion management (others) --- capable of influencing other people’s feelings.
Emotion regulation --- capable of controlling their emotions.
Impulsiveness (low) --- reflective and less likely to give in to their urges.
Relationships --- capable of having fulfilling personal relationships.
Self-esteem --- successful and self-confident.
Self-motivation --- driven and unlikely to give up in the face of adversity.
Social awareness --- accomplished networkers with excellent social skills.
Stress management --- capable of withstanding pressure and regulating stress.
Trait empathy --- capable of taking someone else’s perspective.
Trait happiness --- cheerful and satisfied with their lives.
Trait optimism --- confident and likely to “look on the bright side” of life.
Application in Administration and Governance
- Emotional Intelligence has a significant impact on team member relationships and their effectiveness in reaching a team’s goals. Understanding our own EI strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of other team members, provides a means for improving the interpersonal dynamics of teamwork.
- Since research on Emotional Intelligence began, results overwhelmingly show that people high in various combinations of emotional competencies outperform people who are weak in those areas. When emotional competencies are used in leader selection, for example, performance and retention rates increase significantly.
- Emotional Intelligence significantly influences how we go about solving interpersonal problems. Thus, conflict in organizations often stems from EI differences. Understanding how to use our EI more effectively helps us solve interpersonal problems more effectively and efficiently and increases the overall effectiveness of work teams.
- Employees need consistency from their leaders,they need to know that a leader will respond in a consistent manner to a certain situation, so that they can bring questions, concerns, problems to their leader and know they will get a fair hearing and a consistent response. The best leaders use Emotional Intelligence to manage their emotions so that their responses are consistent, calm, and fair, and not reactive in nature.
- Emotional Intelligence is comprised of intrapersonal skills – understanding yourself, how you react and respond in different situations emotionally; and interpersonal skills – understanding others, and how they react and respond emotionally in different situations. As we think through how certain thoughts, actions, or triggers set off certain emotional responses, we can better manage those thoughts, actions or triggers, so that we respond rather than react. By not allowing the emotional trigger to take over, we maintain control over the situation, and can then create a positive interaction instead of an emotional hijacking.
Some ways for developing Emotional Intelligence
-Look at yourself honestly and commit to specific areas of self-improvement.
-Think through the possible impact of your words before you speak.
-Avoid judging the actions of others before you have all of the facts.
-Be accountable for what you do and follow through on what you say you will do.
-Listen to opposing viewpoints and admit when you are wrong.
-Praise others and give credit where credit is due.
-Analyze your common emotions in times of stress, and work to control them.
-Be consistently and genuinely respectful.
-Curb negative thoughts and work to foster optimism.
-Work at becoming a better listener.
-Agree to disagree with those who have incompatible beliefs.
