When you develop the ability to be aware of your emotions and express them in a healthy way, that is emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is a necessary skill for navigating the important relationships in your life. You’ll have a greater chance of success, both professionally and personally.
In this piece, we explain what emotional intelligence is, with tips to help you improve your own emotional intelligence.
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EI), also referred to as emotional quotient (EQ), is the ability to identify and manage your emotions and express them in ways that are respectful and helpful to those around you. EI also involves the ability to understand the emotions of people around you and respond with supportive and encouraging feedback.
Using the following tips, you can improve your emotional intelligence both at and outside of work;
Identify what you’re really feeling:
Dig deep and ask yourself what you’re really feeling. As you develop an awareness of your feelings, you’re able to pay closer attention to how you’re talking to yourself and others. When you’re mindful of the words you use, you develop empathy for others, which strengthens your relationships and helps you build new ones. As your emotional sharpness increases, you become more resilient to challenges. Rather than feeling overcome by adversity, you’re able to learn from it and bounce back.
Acknowledge and appreciate your emotions:
Improving emotional intelligence doesn’t mean denying your feelings. Your emotions are never wrong. They are there to support you, so be honest about how you feel. When you learn to validate your own feelings, you’re better able to validate others’ emotions, which is a key component of practising empathy.
Approaching your feelings with an attitude of curiosity lets you interrupt your current emotional trajectory to solve whatever’s bothering you.
Develop a deep belief in yourself:
When you truly believe that no matter what happens, you can overcome it, you’ll discover unstoppable confidence – which is key to learning how to improve emotional intelligence. To develop confidence in any situation, think of another time you’ve successfully handled a similar feeling. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again. By thinking of previous successes, you’re able to navigate uncertain terrain with certainty.
Attune to others’ feelings:
Being attuned to your own feelings makes you more aware of other people’s emotions, which enhances your capacity for healthy relationships. You’re able to understand others’ concerns, pick up on emotional cues and interact comfortably with others. When you’re able to take care of your own emotional needs, you’re more emotionally available – as a partner, friend, coworker and family member.
Take action:
A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. In order to really master how to improve emotional intelligence, you need to get out there and practice. Set a new goal or milestone and track your progress. Get out of your comfort zone. Have more meaningful conversations with people in your life. Be more present.
It’s important to be able to approach stressful situations with a calm and positive attitude. Tensions can easily escalate, especially when people are working under deadlines, so keeping steady and focusing on finding a solution will help everyone meet their goals.
Do you have any question or comment. Please share with us in the comment section.