What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)?
The ability to process emotional information, including perception,
assimilation, understanding and management of emotion. 1
A simple definition:
Knowing how you and others feel and what to do about it. 2
Your EI affects almost everything you do. Even while working in a solitary setting,
the quality of your work is determined by your self esteem and self confidence (one aspect of EI).
While the IQ of your mind is relatively fixed, your emotional intelligence (EI) can be built.
Many companies are bringing in psychologists and coaches to improve their top executives¹ EI.
A well developed EI allows a leader to restrain less productive feelings (anger and self-doubt),
and focus on goals with more positive feelings (self-confidence, and open communication.)
The result is higher team productivity!
Worldwide studies find those with high EQ tend to have more success rising to the top of corporations.
The higher people move up in a company, the more critical EI becomes.
Women and men have equal EI, but tend to be strong in different areas. Women score high in empathy
and social responsibility, while men score high in stress tolerance and self-confidence.
1 The
Institute Of Value Management (www.ivm.org.uk)
2 Mayer JD, Cobb CD, Educational Psychology Review 12(2) 2000:
163-183 |