Emotional Intelligence (EI): What is EI, and How Can You Improve It?

Emotional intelligence is the capability of a person to analyze emotions and make informed decisions on what to do and say based on the analysis. It is the ability of one to assess his emotions and those of the other person and, based on the analysis, make the proper judgment on how to respond and influence how the other person will behave. An emotionally intelligent person can recognize personal emotions and manage them. The person can also understand other people’s emotions and their influence on their behavior. Through emotional intelligence, a person can coexist in harmony at the workplace and at home (Salovey, Mayer, & Caruso, 2004).

Measuring Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is viewed as ability, and therefore measuring it can only be done by looking at responses that a person gives when faced with different questions. A person who is emotional intelligence shows a high level of empathy. The person can realize the situation the other person is going through and associate with that situation. The person can put himself into the other person’s shoes (MacCann, 2012). It enables one to put the other person’s emotions into his life, allowing the person to handle the other person better. It is achieved by listening keenly to what a person is saying and looking at body movements which help build a good relationship with the other person for better communication.

Human beings are faced with different situations in life, and how one reacts to these situations is a significant indicator of whether one is emotionally intelligent. The ability to act and react based on different situations and not according to what one feels can be used to determine whether one is emotionally intelligent. An emotionally intelligent person will react according to prevailing situations, not personal feelings. This helps avoid the harmful consequences of reacting to feelings (MacCann, 2012).

Life is full of changes, and change is inevitable. How a person reacts and embraces change is an apparent show of whether a person is emotionally intelligent. Accepting the changing states, adjusting to the changes, and helping people you are in contact with to embrace change indicate emotional maturity. On the other hand, people who cannot manage and embrace change show weakness in their emotional intelligence. It takes a solid mentality to let go of past events. The past may contain a lot of negative or positive situations in one’s life (Salovey et al., 2004). However, these past events do not define one’s future and should be well managed. An emotionally intelligent person can ensure that past events do not affect the present state. On the other hand, a person who is not emotionally intelligent is left holding on to the past.

In the current lifestyle, most people are distracted continuously, especially by social media. It is, therefore, hard on most occasions for a person to concentrate. However, it is a show of emotional intelligence for someone who can pay attention amidst all these distractions. People with high emotional intelligence can be successful in many things since they maintain a high level of focus with the many distractions around them (Downey, Lomas, Billings, Hansen & Stough, 2013). This can be used to measure emotional intelligence.

The analysis of how someone draws judgment from different situations can be used to determine the person’s emotional intelligence. It is based on looking at whether a person looks at situations in a pessimistic or optimistic manner. A person who is objective when analyzing situations is considered emotionally stable as opposed to one who approaches situations pessimistically (Salovey et al., 2004). When measuring emotional intelligence using a multifactor emotional intelligence scale, it is tested whether a person can identify emotions, understand them, and appropriately use them.

Advantages of Emotional Intelligence

The ability to manage one’s emotions comes with many advantages to that particular person. When a person is emotionally intelligent, he can identify and control personal emotions. The emotionally intelligent person identifies, understands, and uses emotions appropriately, maintaining self-awareness (Downey et al., 2013). Managing one’s emotions helps create good teamwork since people can coexist. The members have high trust since each empathizes with the other. Thus, there is a better connection and understanding. People can pay attention to what others are saying and thus get the message passed entirely.

A person can overcome the past through emotional intelligence. The ability to leave the lousy past side of one’s life helps ensure future success. An emotionally intelligent person learns from past failures but does not hold on to them. The capability to deal with change comes with emotional intelligence. One can accept change quickly and therefore embrace new ideas that help improve life (MacCann, 2012). Some conversations in life are so emotional that they require a person who can handle personal emotions and those of the other party. Emotional intelligence, therefore, helps a person cultivate this strength in dealing with difficult conversations.

Improving Emotional Intelligence

The different levels of emotional intelligence can be improved through practice. A person should concentrate on listening rather than always to talk helps in improving emotional intelligence. Through listening, a person can empathize with the other party so that the communication will be successful. Being assertive in what one says is good because it helps pass the message clearly and creates trust (Dacre & Qualter, 2012). This should be done in a way that does not prevent a person from communicating emotions and feelings. Staying proactive and not reactive when dealing with difficult people helps improve emotional intelligence. It is where a person is prepared in advance to face the problematic person rather than letting the unfolding situation affect the way one engages in conversation with this person.

Reference List

Dacre, P. L., & Qualter, P. 2012, ‘Improving emotional intelligence and emotional self-efficacy through a teaching intervention for university students,’ Learning and Individual Differences, vol. 22, pp. 306–312.

Downey, L., Lomas, J., Billings, C., Hansen, K., & Stough, C. 2013, ‘Scholastic success: Fluid intelligence, personality, and emotional intelligence,’ Canadian Journal of School Psychology, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 40–53.

MacCann, C. 2012, ‘Emotional intelligence: fact or fad?’ ABC Science website viewed 13th December 2018 <http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/09/11/3587590.htm>

Salovey, P., Mayer, J., & Caruso, D. 2004, ‘Emotional intelligence: Theory, findings, and implications,’ Psychological Inquiry, pp. 197–215, viewed 4th February 2019 <http://ei.yale.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2013/12/pub56_MayerSalovey2004_EITheoryFindingsImplications.pdf>