There are different types of intelligence that define us as human beings. Most commonly, we consider numerical and verbal intelligence as standards when we talk about someone being “smart”
Emotional Intelligence, denoted by EI or EQ, is a combination of multiple abilities. It presents the ability to understand and control one’s own emotions, but also those of other people.
Traditional IQ tests are generally based on numeric and verbal intelligence. Psychologists and scientists use this test and scale to rank the patient’s IQ, but there are many other types of intelligence they don’t take into consideration.
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Emotional intelligence is one of the types of intelligence that is not measured. In this article, you will have a chance to read a basic overview of the concept of emotional intelligence. We will also present some circumstances where being emotionally intelligent can help you in your interpersonal relationships.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Dr. Goleman, an influential psychologist, set the 13 basic components of emotional intelligence:
- Self-awareness: the person is able to recognize their own emotions and realize their effect on their surroundings
- Decision-making skills: analyzing one’s own actions and knowing the consequences of these actions
- Emotion management: realizing the underlying basis of one’s own emotions
- Handling stress: knowing how to relax and knowing the importance of relaxing
- Empathy: understanding the emotions of other people and taking different opinions into considerations
- Communication: being able to talk about feelings
- Self-discovery: understanding your own needs for openness and trust
- Insightfulness: recognizing patterns in your own life and other people’s lives
- Self-acceptance: being able to come to terms with your flaws and appreciate them
- Personal responsibility: taking responsibility for one’s own reactions and decisions
- Self-confidence: being able to express your issues without anger
- Group dynamics: knowing when to lead, and when to follow
- Conflict management: being able to compromise and reach solutions to disagreements
How Can Emotional Intelligence Help you in Your Relationships?
Each of these basic EI components is very important for maintaining and developing successful personal relationships. The components that are especially important for romantic relationships include self-awareness, emotion management, empathy, communication, group dynamics and conflict management. Just like all other types of intelligence, emotional intelligence can be nurtured and developed. It is partially genetically inherited. But through conscious effort, you can progress immensely.
Online, you can find many courses and workshops for each of the components of emotional intelligence. If you’re decisive to become more emotionally intelligent and improve your personal relationships, take one component and work on it. For example, in relationships, it’s extremely beneficial to have advanced empathy skills. You can boost your empathy by practicing active listening and imagination exercises. Always listen carefully to everything your partner is saying.
Before replying from your own point of you, imagine if you were in their place. Being able to imagine this and act on it will help you understand other people much more clearly. However, if you are still not able to find someone whose emotional intelligence can actually make you proud about? Try GoMarry.com.
