Emotional Intelligence 2.0

Lesson 1. What is Emotional Intelligence or EQ?

Emotional intelligence or EQ, refers to how an individual deals with emotions. A person with high EQ better understands what emotions they are experiencing, and why. They can better control their emotion-driven behavior, and also accurately understand what emotions others are feeling. Thus, someone who is good at reading others’ body language, has high EQ. 

Though it is very unlikely that a person’s IQ or personality may change, it is possible to increase one’s EQ. People often find it difficult to understand what they themselves, or others might be feeling, and why they’re feeling so. Being around individuals with high EQ can improve one’s EQ.

We are born with a limited EQ, which increases as we interact with more and more people while growing up. Emotional intelligence can also be improved by reading books, watching movies, having conversations, meditating and participating in religious practices. Reading fiction is a potent way to enhance EQ, since the reader is made privy to the emotions of the characters, which shape their actions.   

EQ consists of four components:

1. Self-awareness. It is the ability to understand your own emotions and actions.
2. Self-management. It involves putting yourself in situations where you know you’ll be able to behave properly.
3. Social awareness. It refers to the ability of understanding the emotions of others. You’ll be better able to empathise with and understand people around you.
4. Relationship management. Being aware of your own emotions as well as that of others will enable you to forge strong relationships with important people. 

Lesson 2. Being self-aware.

Self-awareness is more than knowing what you like or dislike. It is about having a proper understanding of your emotions. Self-awareness enables you to have better control over your emotions, so that you don’t get overwhelmed by them.

Being self-aware entails awareness about the factors that result in a particular emotional state, and understanding how such emotions will affect one’s behavior. Rational thought often helps in subduing overwhelming emotions, so that you don’t behave unreasonably. By doing so, you’ll always maintain your cool.

For instance, you’ve left your briefcase at home, or might’ve spilled coffee on your desk. You will feel extremely irritated. Self-awareness under such situations will make you clearly see why your mood is spoilt, and how it’s impacting your behavior.

Remember that forgetting the briefcase or spilling coffee doesn’t mean the end of the world. Your bad mood too shall pass. There’s no point in overreacting. 

The same thing applies