Have you ever wondered what the term Emotional Intelligence is? Or indeed thought about why it might be important? In a series of blogs over the next 15 weeks we are going to explore Emotional Intelligence, looks at what it is and what the practical details are for using Emotional Intelligence in every day life.

So what is it Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is all about how well you understand your own emotions and the emotions of others, and the ability to identify and manage them. Emotional Intelligence, also known as “Ei” or “EQ”, is now well established set of “Competencies” that contribute to performance, engagement and success.

Emotionally Intelligent people possess high levels of self-esteem and are comfortable in their own skin. They are genuine and authentic. Whilst they have the ability to adapt their behaviour, essentially they are always true to their real self. As a result they appear dynamic, enthusiastic and passionate. They listen to their intuition and communicate from their hearts as well as their heads. How can you engage people by logic alone? People with developed emotional intelligence traits have a compelling vision that others feel a connection with. This creates a magnetic force that draws people to follow them.

Emotional Intelligence is broken down in to five key areas Self Perception, Self Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making and Stress Management. Within each of these areas there are three traits. Over the next 15 weeks we are going to discuss each of these traits in more detail with their own blog. Those traits of Emotional Intelligence are:

Self Perception

  • Self Regard – having respect for self whilst understanding personal strengths and weaknesses. Feelings of inner strength and self-confidence are often related to Self Regard.
  • Self-Actualisation – the want and need for personal improvement and the ability to pursue engaging, personally relevant, meaningful objectives that lead to a rich and enjoyable life.
  • Emotional Self-Awareness – knowing and recognising the impact own emotions have on self and others. Being able to understand the cause of emotions and the effect they have on personal thoughts and actions.

Self Expression

  • Emotional Expression – the ability to openly and constructively express personal feelings with verbally and non-verbally.
  • Assertiveness – being able to communicate thoughts, feelings, beliefs or plans openly, being able to defend your actions and values in a constructive manner.
  • Independence – self directed and free from the emotional dependency of others. Making decisions, planning and working through day to day life autonomously.

Interpersonal

  • Interpersonal Relationships – shows the skill of developing, and maintaining, strong beneficial relationships built on trust and compassion.
  • Empathy – knowing, understanding and appreciating how others feel in various situations. Empathy is being able to articulate your understanding of others in a supportive, respectful way.
  • Social Responsibility – your contribution to society, work or personal social groups. being responsible, having a social consciousness and sharing concern for the great community.

Decision Making

  • Problem Solving – your ability to work through a problem and find solutions where emotions may be involved. This trait includes understanding how emotions impact decision making.
  • Reality Testing – the ability to see things as they really are, remaining objective and recognising that emotions, or personal bias can cause one to be less objective.
  • Impulse Control – the capacity to resist an impulse, drive or temptation to act. Avoiding rash decisions and behaviours that may result in regret.

Stress Management

  • Flexibility – being dynamic with choice and flexing your emotions, thoughts and behaviours to ideas or situations that you wouldn’t normally.
  • Stress Tolerance – the coping mechanism to deal with stressful or difficult situations and that the belief that one can manage and influence a better outcome, in the moment.
  • Optimism – your positive attitude towards the future and your general outlook on life. Being resilient despite occasional setbacks.

Developing Emotional Intelligence

Listed above are 15 conceptual components of Emotional Intelligence that are measured subscales. You can develop Emotional intelligence and emotional skills over time. Emotional Intelligence changes throughout life, and can be improved through training and coaching programs.

Check back each week to take a deeper look at each of the subscales and explore ways in with each can be developed. You may want to sign up to our blog by email so you never miss out. or even come along to one of our Emotional Intelligence Masterclass workshops.

Did you know we currently offer [Virtual] Emotional Intelligence testing and training?

Before the workshop you will be invited to take part in a pre-course activity which includes an online self-assessment producing a 20 page personal Emotional Intelligence Report.

An employee’s skills and qualifications are important for success within their role. An employee’s Emotional Intelligence is just as important, if not more so, for fulfilment within, or potentially beyond, their current role. The Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace workshop is designed to as part of an individual’s development in work settings. It helps individuals focus on the impact of emotional intelligence at work and offers suggestions for working more effectively in one’s role, with colleagues, managers and clients.

  • Understand the impact of Emotional Intelligence on themselves and the people around them
  • Quickly identify patterns in own and others Emotional Intelligence
  • Create a clear, organised understanding of their strengths and weaknesses in a constructive way.
  • Effectively measure where they currently are and wants to be by comparing results against sample groups of general population
  • Make instant connections between different subscales of Emotional Intelligence and help leverage EI strengths and improve EI weaknesses.
  • Create an action plan to develop key areas of Emotional Intelligence
  • Become a more effect member of the team and organisation– This virtual session is 4 hours with a 1 hour break.
    – All of our Virtual Learning workshops are conducted via Zoom.
    – Virtual learning begins at 10.30am through to 12.30pm and then again from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. 
    – You will receive an electronic version of your Emotional Intelligence report, and workshop materials will be sent via post.

To discover more about Emotional Intelligence and how LearningCog can help you, head over to our dedicated Emotional Intelligence page.