What is Emotional Intelligence or EQ?
Our feelings are our most genuine paths to knowledge – Audre Lorde. Emotional Intelligence (EI) or Emotional Quotient (EQ) may seem to be one of the most common scientific terms we’ve heard. For an average individual, factors of Emotional Quotient are simply described to as feelings, attitude, and/or how someone reacts to a certain situation that requires self-control and assessment.
A common misconception is that EQ is connected with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and uniqueness of each personality. In reality, these three factors are not related in any way. Emotional Intelligence is a distinctive element of one’s behavior that is a completely different thing from an individual’s intellect and personality. With that being said, it is impossible to determine someone’s EQ by looking at his IQ and vice versa.
Emotional Intelligence or EQ Definition.
What is Emotional Intelligence? Scientifically speaking, Emotional Intelligence (Click here to get the book) is one’s ability to perceive, understand , think about and manage his own emotions. Based on different studies, EQ is critical in managing an individual’s behavior, coping with different social and psychological situations and in making significant life decisions.
The main theory of EQ started way back in the 1970s by three psychologists – Howard Gardner of Harvard, John ‘Jack’ Mayer of New Hampshire and Peter Salovey of Yale. However, it was only introduced by the media in the late 1990s. The behavioral concept of EQ rose to prominence when Daniel Goleman, a psychologist and an author, published a book about brain science entitled “Emotional Intelligence”. – Click here to read reviews
The Main Argument
Different theories, approaches and models were used to describe on how EQ works. The main argument of Emotional Intelligence is that the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) concept is not the only ingredient that dictates an individual’s personal and professional success. While having high IQ and mental capacity to understand logical things are crucial, it may not be enough when it comes to handling a person’s emotions and behaviors and subsequent consequences.
The four main components of Emotional Intelligence are arranged from the basic to the most integrated part of the psychological processes involved. These are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. Being aware of your own feelings, knowing yourself and the things that affect you – Self-Awareness – is the starting point of EQ development. Applying this knowledge to understand others and to be smart with those emotions follows.
We’ve all experienced how emotions can be challenging – and powerful! The trick is to be smart with feelings. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the essential ingredient to do so – a learnable set of practical, measurable skills that make a transformational difference at work, at school, and at home. This is the definition that 6 Seconds Emotional Intelligence presents. It is the organization with which Ingrid has trained.
Why is it called 6 Seconds? Brain science has discovered that it takes that long for the cortical part of the brain to bring in a more rational function to an emotional reaction. Instead of acting impulsively, EQ teaches you to use your thoughts, behaviors and actions in dealing with those emotions.
“He who knows others is wise; He who knows himself is enlightened” – Lao Tzu