The term was first coined by psychologists Mayer and Salovey, who defined Emotional Intelligence as “one’s ability to recognize meaning of emotions and their relationships to external factors, and to reason and problem-solve on the basis of them”.
(Farnell, n.d.)
In other words, Emotional intelligence (EI) comprises the necessary ability or competences to be able to identify, manage and control your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Emotions rule and guide our daily life; therefore, by identifying emotions, you will be able to determine how they influence your work, personal relations and other spheres of life.
Besides, the American psychologist Daniel Goleman recognized five distinct categories of skills which form the key characteristics of EI, which can be learned or improved, and these are:
Self-awareness:
the ability to recognize your emotions
Self-regulation:
ability to control your emotions
Motivation:
ability to be driven, perform, act, and reach towards goals
Empathy:
the ability to identify with and understand the wants, needs, and viewpoints of others
Social skills:
ability to build and maintain relationships, and to have a good communication with others
The importance of EI should not be underestimated; indeed it is playing an increasingly meaningful role when it comes to academic success, mental and physical health, as well as attainment in the professional sphere.
Emotional Intelligence is a core competence for understanding and managing emotions, which is the first step when it comes to realizing your true potential. EI offers you the possibility of seeing things from a different perspective. It helps you open your mind in order to find diverse solutions through a more rational thinking. This will give you the capacity to detect what makes you feel right or wrong, and to confront and modify the situations that are not comfortable for you.
By being emotionally smart and developing your Emotional Intelligence you will:
Feel better at your workplace
Be more satisfied with your job
Improve the quality of your caregiving
Be more productive
Improve personal and professional relationships
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