Runninghead: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence
Clearly define the term Emotional Intelligence (EI). .................................................................................... 2 History of Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ) ............................................................................................... 2 Discuss the four (4) attributes of emotional intelligence. ............................................................................. 2 Why is Emotional intelligence important?.................................................................................................... 4 What factors does EI affects?........................................................................................................................ 4 How can one raise their Emotional Intelligence? ......................................................................................... 4 Examine some skills of Emotionally Intelligent persons. ............................................................................. 5 References ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Emotional Intelligence Zig Ziglar It is not your aptitude, but your attitude that determines your altitude

Clearly define the term Emotional Intelligence (EI).

Peter Salovey and John D., in their article "Emotional Intelligence," 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. Cherry, K., (n.d). Sparrow and Knight states that Emotional intelligence integrates feeling, thinking and doing. It is the habitual practice of thinking about feeling and feeling about thinking when choosing what to do. In a nutshell however, Phycology today defines it best when they states; Emotional Intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your emotion as well as the emotion of others. History of Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ)

According to Sparrow and Knight (2006) the history of Emotional Intelligence can be traced back to 1920 where Edward Thorndike first talked of Social Intelligence through the years, noted psychologists in the likes of Edward Thorndike, David Wechsler, Claude Steiner, Jack Mayer & Peter Salovey, Daniel Goleman and Doctoral student Wayne Payne all took special interest in emotional intelligence in one form or the other. To note however, there has been different definition given for Emotional Intelligence, some of the definition are;

Discuss the four (4) attributes of emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence

Kase, L., (2008) outlined the four components of emotional intelligence as; Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness and Relationship Management. Self Awareness is the ability to be aware of your own emotion, taking time to evaluate how you respond to situations that may arise as well as recognizing how persons respond to us. One may improve on their self awareness by taking time to reflect on their action and soliciting feedback from persons who idea you value. Self Management is ability to manage one's own emotion this attribute includes one's optimism, transparency, adaptability and achievement, self management takes into consideration whether one react or respond to a situation. Social Awareness is being aware of what others want and devising a plan to communicate with them in a way that their needs can be met. Social awareness may be enhanced by focusing more on the needs of customers/people in general, this is achieved by taking personal responsibility even when things are not going the way they should, being available and responsive and regularly gather feedback. Relationship Management is the ability to develop others, serve as a leader and a medium/catalyst for change, relationship management also involve conflict resolution and forming relationship with high performing team. One is consider possessing this trait if you are likeable by others, able to work well with diverse groups even where there is conflict and stress as well as assurance in dealing with others. You know you possess these characteristics when you are able to communicate a vision that is inspiring as well as convince your team to embrace change.

Emotional Intelligence Why is Emotional intelligence important?

Emotional Intelligence plays an important factor in everyday life for the purpose of influencing performance, team collaboration and efficiency which all contributes to success, as such it is important that especially leaders develop emotional intelligence. Fletcher, S., (2012) gives the important reasons for developing emotional intelligences for the purpose of , been better able to address problems and avoid future complications, allow you to stay in a respected position as you are able to manage your emotions, an emotional intelligent person communicated more effectively, gain respect from others because his/her social awareness ability and the emotionally intelligent person is able to resolve conflict.

What factors does EI affects?

According to Bar-on, R., (nd) Emotional Intelligence affects ones health and wellbeing, this conclusion was drawn from the findings of seven studies carried out on the subject, he stated that the emotional intelligence factors that have the strongest impact on these areas are, self regard, self actualization, stress tolerance, optimism and happiness.

How can one raise their Emotional Intelligence?

There are various ways in which one can raise their emotional intelligence, Alder, H. (2000) in his publication suggested that emotional intelligence can be increased by, reframing, this he states is the ability to look for different meaning, looking for the good as well as the bad, basically this is the ability to change our perceptions. Relaxing and deep breathing, this is one

Emotional Intelligence form of stress reduction and visualization, by vividly recalling we are able to invoke positive empowering thoughts. Segal, J., and Smith, M. (2013) summarize some key skills which may be utilized to raise emotional intelligence, these are; The ability to quickly reduce stress in different settings and in various ways, be able to identify your emotions and keep them under control, being able to

identify emotionally with others using nonverbal communication, being able to use humor to stay connected in adverse situations and the ability to resolve conflict with confidence and in a positive manner.

Examine some skills of Emotionally Intelligent persons.

In an interview by Daniel Goleman, he stated that the persons who are emotionally intelligent display qualities such as self awareness, self regulation, motivation, empathy and social awareness. The self aware individual is confident because they trust their intuition and do not let their emotion gets out of control. The self regulated individual do not allow themselves to become too angry or jealous and do not make impulsive or careless decision they think before they act. The motivated individual is willing to differ short-term result for long-term success, they love challenges, very effective at whatever they does and is highly productive. The person who display empathy are excellent at managing relationship, listening and relating to others as well as being good at recognizing other people's feeling even when it is not obvious, an empathic person lives his/her live in a very honest and open way. The socially aware individual are typically team players who assist others to develop and reach their potential, they manage disputes and are excellent communicators this person is excellent at building and maintaining good relationship.

Emotional Intelligence References

Alder, H. (2000) Boost Your Intelligence - Tested Techniques for Improving Your IQ and EQ, Kogan Page Ltd., Dover, NH, USA Bar-On, R., (2012). The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Health and Wellbeing, Emotional Intelligence - New Perspectives and Applications, (University of Texas Medical Branch) ISBN: 978-953-307-838-0, InTech, Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/emotional-intelligence-new-perspectives-andapplications/the-impact-of-emotional-intelligence-on-health-and-wellbeing Belshaw, D., (1 July 2009) Daniel Goleman on Leadership and Emotional Intelligence retrieved from http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2009/07/01/daniel-goleman-on-leadership-andemotional-intelligence/ Cherry, K., What is Emotional Intelligence (n.d) retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/a/emotionalintell.htm Fletcher, S., (30th May 2012), 5 Reason Why Emotional Intelligence is Critical for Leaders retrieved from http://leadchangegroup.com/5-reasons-why-emotional-intelligence-iscritical-for-leaders/ Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Melinda Smith (2013) Emotional Intelligence (EQ) retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq5_raising_emotional_intelligence.htm Kase, L., (2008) The Four Components of Emotional Intelligence retrieved from

Emotional Intelligence http://pascoaching.typepad.com/the_mindset_of_success/2008/10/the-four-compon.html Sparrow, T., & Knight, A., (2006) Applied EI The Importance of Attitudes in Developing Emotional Intelligence, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., West Sussex, UK. The Five Components of Emotional Intelligence at Work

http://www.virginia.edu/finance/focus/presentations/five_components_emotiona_intellige nce_at_work_fall2010.pdf