EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Meaning and Definition of Emotional Intelligence

            Emotional intelligence is an indicator of how mature we are in handling our emotions. The term ‘Emotional Ine1ligence’ (El) was used by Peter Salovey of Yale University and John Mayer of New Hampshire University for the first time to involve a set of personal and social abilities of an individual. Emotional Intelligence (El), often measured as an Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ), describes an ability, capacity, or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one’s self, of others, and of groups. It is a relatively new area of psychological research.

            According to Daniel Goleman, “Emotional intelligence is the and capacity for motivation and for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships”.

Self-Awareness

            Primary component of emotional intelligence is self-awareness, or having a clear understanding of one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, drives and capabilities. On the surface there is really nothing new about this concept — it has been touted for thousands of years.

1. Emotional Self-Awareness: The first of the three self-awareness competencies, emotional self-awareness, reflects the importance of recognising one’s own feelings and how they affect one’s performance.
2. Accurate Self-Assessment: At another level, self-awareness is key to realising one’s own strengths and weaknesses. Among several hundred managers from twelve different organisations, accurate self-assessment was the hallmark of superior performance.
3. Self-Confidence: Knowing their abilities with accuracy allows leaders to play to their strengths. Self- confident leaders can welcome a difficult assignment: Such leaders often have a sense of presence, a self- assurance that lets them stand out in a group.

Self-Management

            Next component of emotional intelligence is self management. It is the ability to manage one’s own emotions, something that we do to some extent. Without understanding what we are feeling, we cannot control our feelings and this leaves us at the mercy of our emotions. The self-management cluster of El abilities encompasses six competencies, which are as follows:

1. Emotional Self-Control Competence: Heading the list is the emotional self-control competence, which manifests largel’ as the absence of distress and disruptive feelings.
2. Trustworthiness and Conscientiousness: The trustworthiness competence translates into letting others kn6w one’s values and principles, intentions and feelings, and acting in ways that are consistent with them.
3. Adaptability: If there is any single competence our present times call for, it is adaptability. Superior performers in than management ranks exhibit thi competence.
4. Achievement: David McClelland’s landmark work “The Achieving Society” established achievement orientation as the competence that drives the success of entrepreneurs.
5. Optimism: It is a key ingredient of achievement because it can determine one’s reaction to unfavourabl events or circumstances; those with high achievement are proactive and persistent, have an optimistic attitude toward setbacks, and operate from hope of success.
6. Initiative: Those with the initiative competence act before being forced to do so by external events. This often means taking anticipatory action to avoid problems before they happen or taking advantage of opportunities before they are visible to anyone else.