Emotional Intelligence - What is it all about ?

Emotional intelligence, referred to as EI by Daniel Goleman, or EQ, as defined by Stein & Howard is “A set of emotional and social skills that collectively establish how well we perceive and express ourselves, develop and maintain social relationships, cope with challenges, use emotional information in an effective and meaningful way.”

EQ is made up of dynamic, observable, measurable skills that we bring into play in our interactions with others according to the situation. Skills such as: developing and maintaining satisfying relationships with others (demonstrated by our listening and communication abilities), assertiveness, empathy, problem solving abilities, stress tolerance, and optimism. Sometimes thought of as “soft-skills”, or that “touch-feely stuff”, recent research is telling us that emotional intelligence is becoming rapidly recognized as a more accurate indicator of success in the workplace than IQ!

Some interesting facts about IQ (Intelligence quotient) and EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient):

• IQ is pretty much set by the age of 17; it remains constant throughout adulthood, and wanes during old age.
• EQ is not fixed; it rises steadily from an average score of 95.3 in late teens to 102.7 in the mid-40’s tapering off a bit once past the age of 50 to101.5.                                               

How Can EQ help you?

We’ve all heard that we become wiser with age. That wisdom applies to the way we learn to react to crises, how we become more aware of what triggers our emotional responses, and how we balance reason and emotions. Knowing what your emotional intelligence levels and strengths are gives you an edge in dealing with challenges as they come up both in your personal and professional life!

How can I find out more about my Emotional Intelligence levels?

One of the most highly sought and widely recognized of the EI assessment tools is the EQ-i 2.0.    
The EQ Model of emotional intelligence is composed of 5 scales, which measure emotional and social functioning, performance, and well-being: Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Stress Management. Each of these scales contains 3 sub-scales that help determine your EI score.                                        

The first step in finding out more about your EI level is to complete a recognized EI assessment tool through a certified provider of the tool; many of these providers are also Executive Coaches. They will arrange for you to complete the assessment and provide you with your results (often called a debriefing).

What can you do to increase your EQ?

You can increase your EI levels through conscious, focused training, experience, and by working with a coach.

Are you curious to know more about your Emotional Intelligence level? Contact Endless Possibilities Executive Coaching and Consulting today to arrange to complete an assessment!