Working with individuals to develop and enhance their Emotional Intelligence capabilities has allowed me to observe remarkable growth in both their professional and personal lives. Emotional Intelligence is well recognised as being a key factor in career success. Various studies and books on this topic lay claim to it having a greater impact on success than IQ alone.
What is Emotional Intelligence and why does it matter?
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is not some ‘corporate fad’ and while the phrase has been popularised by Daniel Goldman in his book, ‘Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ’ published in 1995, the skills of emotional intelligence have been valued for many generations with Charles Darwin publishing a book in the 1870’s on the role of emotional expression in survival and adaption (‘The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals’ 1872).
So how can we define Emotional Intelligence (EI)?
There are many definitions to describe this intelligence, with one of the clearest being; ‘A set of skills that define how effectively you perceive, understand, reason with and manage your own and others’ feelings’ (source: GENOS International).
What are these skills and how many are there?
Well there are a few! Models that I have worked with and researched have detailed anywhere from 4 to 20 distinct EI skills or competencies. While the models and the language used to describe these skills do vary, it is my view that EI skills can be grouped under four broad categories:
Self-Awareness
Awareness of others
Self-Management
Influencing others
What is the difference between EI and EQ?
You may have heard the terms EI and EQ (Emotional Quotient) used interchangeably and wondered what, if any, is the difference? A simple delineation between the two would be that EQ (Emotional Quotient) refers to the measure of an individual’s innate emotional intelligence, similar to an IQ level, while EI refers to their demonstrable behaviours. While I wouldn’t say that I have a strong preference, I do favour a focus on EI when it comes to individual development.
A study by Multi-Health Systems Inc. Canada of about 4000 people (men and women) found that Emotional Quotient increases from your late teens, levels off in your early 40’s and then drops slightly past the age of 50. With this in mind, a question that springs to mind is - Can your Emotional Intelligence and therefore your Emotional Quotient be developed outside this norm? My opinion is that it can!
In coming articles I will be focusing on practical and proven strategies that if implemented and practiced I believe will enhance your own emotional intelligence and potentially that of those close to you.
Interested in learning more about your own emotional intelligence or developing the EI of your team members or organisation, or do you have something in particular you would like to learn about?
Then please feel free to contact me (Rachel) by email at Rachel Moore Consulting – rachel@rachelmconsulting.com.au
I am an experienced Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, Trainer and Coach who works with individuals and teams to develop their self-management and relationship management skills allowing them to improve their professional performance and career success.