Emotional intelligence as a term didn’t come into our vernacular until around 1990. Despite being a relatively new term, interest in the concept has grown tremendously since then. Emotional intelligence (EI) defined as the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively. This ability to express and control emotions is essential, but so is the ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others.
Signs of Emotional Intelligence
Since this entire concept of EI is a trait which is identifiable in humans, there are certain signs that showcase emotional intelligence of people. These signs are listed below but this is in no way an exhaustive list.
i. An ability to identify and describe what people are feeling
ii. An awareness of personal strengths and limitations
iii. Self-confidence and self-acceptance
iv. The ability to let go of mistakes
v. An ability to accept and embrace change
vi. A strong sense of curiosity, particularly about other people
vii. Feelings of empathy and concern for others
viii. Showing sensitivity to the feelings of other people
ix. Accepting responsibility for mistakes
x. The ability to manage emotions in difficult situations
Components of Emotional Intelligence
There are four different levels of emotional intelligence:
Perceiving emotions: The first step in understanding emotions is to perceive them accurately. In many cases, this might involve understanding nonverbal signals such as body language and facial expressions.
Reasoning with emotions: The next step involves using emotions to promote thinking and cognitive activity. Emotions help prioritize what we pay attention and react to; we respond emotionally to things that garner our attention.
Understanding emotions: The emotions that we perceive can carry a wide variety of meanings. If someone is expressing angry emotions, the observer must interpret the cause of the person’s anger and what it could mean. For example, if your boss is acting angry, it might mean that they are dissatisfied with your work, or it could be because they got a speeding ticket on their way to work that morning or that they’ve been fighting with their partner.
Managing emotions: The ability to manage emotions effectively is a crucial part of emotional intelligence and the highest level. Regulating emotions and responding appropriately as well as responding to the emotions of others are all important aspects of emotional management.
IMPACT OF EI
Interest in training on and learning social and emotional intelligence has grown in recent years. Social and emotional learning (SEL) programs have become a standard part of the curriculum for Soft Skills training in many schools’ colleges and corporate organizations.
The goal of these emotional intelligence training initiatives is not only to improve health and well-being but also to help trainers, employees, students etc. succeed in their endeavors and improve their quality of life. There are many examples of how emotional intelligence training can play a very important role in daily life.
(a)Thinking Before Reacting
Emotionally intelligent people know that emotions can be powerful, but also temporary.
(b) Greater Self-Awareness.
Individuals who have undergone soft skills training and Emotional intelligence training are not only good at thinking about how other people might feel but they are also adept at understanding their own feelings. Self-awareness allows people to consider the many different factors that contribute to their emotions.
Uses of EI training in daily life
Emotional intelligence can be used in many different ways in your daily life. Some different ways to practice emotional intelligence include:
i. Being able to accept criticism and responsibility
ii Being able to move on after making a mistake
iii Being able to say no when you need to
iv. Being able to share your feelings with others
v. Being able to solve problems in ways that work for everyone
vi. Having empathy for other people
vii. Having great listening skills
viii. Knowing why you do the things you do
ix. Not being judgmental of others
Conclusion
Having lower emotional intelligence skills can lead to a number of potential pitfalls that can affect multiple areas of life including work and relationships.
People who have fewer emotional skills tend to get in more arguments, have lower quality relationships, and have poor emotional coping skills. This is where training on the important aspect of EI comes in where the Soft Skills or the Corporate Trainer must include experiential learning in their curriculum to identify individuals with low EI and give them proper training on how to channelize their emotions to gain a positive outlook towards their profession in particular and quality of life in general.
The corporate training programs which are conducted by Certified soft skills trainers conducting emotional intelligence training should be asked to harness individual emotions and train the individuals to become better versions of themselves
In conclusion it is imperative in today’s competitive and stressful work environment as well as in domestic issues that a corporate training program must include emotional intelligence training which needs to be delivered through a certified soft skill or a corporate trainer who is well versed in the subject of emotional intelligence training.
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