Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions.

Some
researchers suggest that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened, while others
claim it is an inborn characteristic.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others,
and of groups. Various models and definitions have been proposed of which the ability and trait EI
models are the most widely accepted in the scientific literature. Ability EI is usually measured using
maximum performance tests and has stronger relationships with traditional intelligence, whereas trait
EI is usually measured using self-report questionnaires and has stronger relationships with personality.

Peter Salovey and John D. "Emotional Intelligence," they defined emotional intelligence as, "the subset of
social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to
discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions"


The Four Branches of Emotional Intelligence
Salovey and Mayer proposed a model that identified four different factors of emotional
intelligence: the perception of emotion, the ability reason using emotions, the ability to
understand emotion and the ability to manage emotions.
1.
2. Perceiving Emotions: The first step in understanding emotions is to accurately
perceive them. In many cases, this might involve understanding nonverbal
signals such as body language and facial expressions.

3. 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.

4. 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 their anger and what it might mean. For example, if your
boss is acting angry, it might mean that he is dissatisfied with your work; or it
could be because he got a speeding ticket on his way to work that morning or
that he's been fighting with his wife.

5. Managing Emotions: The ability to manage emotions effectively is a key part of
emotional intelligence. Regulating emotions, responding appropriately and
responding to the emotions of others are all important aspect of emotional
management.
Measuring Emotional Intelligence

"In regard to measuring emotional intelligence I am a great believer that criterion-report
(that is, ability testing) is the only adequate method to employ. Intelligence is an ability, and is
directly measured only by having people answer questions and evaluating the correctness of
those answers."
In his 1996 book Emotional Intelligence, author Daniel Goleman suggested that EQ (or emotional
intelligence quotient) might actually be more important than IQ. Why? Some psychologists believe that
standard measures of intelligence (i.e. IQ scores) are too narrow and do not encompass the full range of
human intelligence. Instead, they suggest, the ability to understand and express emotions can play an
equal if not even more important role in how people fare in life.

What's the Difference Between IQ and EQ?

Let's start by defining the two terms in order to understand what they mean and how they
differ. IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a number derived from a standardized intelligence test.
On the original IQ tests, scores were calculated by dividing the individual's mental age by his or
her chronological age and then multiplying that number by 100. So a child with a mental age
of 15 and a chronological age of 10 would have an IQ of 150. Today, scores on most IQ tests
are calculated by comparing the test taker's score to the scores of other people in the same age
group.
EQ, on the other hand, is a measure of a person's level of emotional intelligence. This refers to a
person's ability to perceive, control, evaluate, and express emotions. Researchers such as John
Mayer and Peter Salovey as well as writers like Daniel Goleman have helped shine a light on
emotional intelligence, making it a hot topic in areas ranging from business management to
education.
Since the 1990s, emotional intelligence has made the journey from a semi-obscure concept
found in academic journals to a popularly recognized term. Today, you can buy toys that claim
to help boost a child's emotional intelligence or enroll your kids in social and emotional
learning (SEL) programs designed to teach emotional intelligence skills. In some schools in the
United States, social and emotional learning is even a curriculum requirement.
Which One Is More Important?

At one point in time, IQ was viewed as the primary determinant of success. People with high
IQs were assumed to be destined for a life of accomplishment and achievement and researchers
debated whether intelligence was the product of genes or the environment (the old nature
versus nurture debate). However, some critics began to realize that not only was high
intelligence no guarantee for success in life, it was also perhaps too narrow a concept to fully
encompass the wide range of human abilities and knowledge.
The concept of emotional intelligence has had a strong impact in a number of areas, including the
business world. Many companies now mandate emotional intelligence training and utilize EQ tests as
part of the hiring process. Research has found that individuals with strong leadership potential also tend
to be more emotionally intelligent, suggesting that a high EQ is an important quality for business leaders
and managers to have.
IQ is still recognized as an important element of success, particularly when it comes to academic
achievement. People with high IQs typically to do well in school, often earn more money, and tend to be
healthier in general. But today experts recognize it is not the only determinate of life success. Instead, it
is part of a complex array of influences that includes emotional intelligence among other things.

How to develop emotional intelligence :
Can managers and other employees develop emotional intelligence? While some
researchers believe that emotional intelligence is an inborn characteristic, others believe
that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened. I belong to the can be
learned and strengthened club because I have experienced many individuals who have
enhanced their emotional intelligence when they put their minds to it.
In fact, in coaching and consulting with organizations, one area of focus has been to
help leaders further develop their emotional intelligence.
Emotional Intelligence in Action
I believe that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened, but only when an
employee understands how emotional intelligence is observable and useful in the workplace.
Cherry states that Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer, leading emotional intelligence researchers,
recognize four aspects of emotional intelligence: the perception of emotion, the ability to
reason using emotions, the ability to understand emotion and the ability to manage emotions.
Examples of skills that a person with emotional intelligence might display in these aspects
include:
the capacity to listen so intently that he or she can hear the words not spoken by paying
attention to tone of voice, inflection, pauses, and other cues,
the ability to control and handle frustration, anger, sorrow, joy, annoyance, and other
emotions,
recognizing and reacting to the impact that his or her words and actions are having on
coworkers, whether they inform the manager of the impact, or not,
understanding the underlying emotion of a communication from a staff member and
responding as effectively to the emotional aspects of the communication as to the stated
needs, and
effectively interpreting the cause of the emotion expressed by a coworker. That sad,
dejected posture can indicate a significant issue at home as well as an unresolved work
issue.
Observations
"IQ alone is not enough; EQ also matters. In fact, psychologists generally agree that
among the ingredients for success, IQ counts for roughly 10% (at best 25%); the rest
depends on everything elseincluding EQ."

David Wechsler suggests that affective components of intelligence may be essential to success in
life. 1940s
ion entitled
"A study of emotion: developing emotional intelligence; self-integration; relating to fear, pain
and desire (theory, structure of reality, problem-solving, contraction/expansion, tuning
in/coming out/letting go)." (1985)