What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence has gained more attention in recent years. We are now focusing more on our emotional lives in various areas, including society and business.
This shift is important because we understand how crucial it is for people to not only survive but also thrive in their daily lives. Hybrid workplaces, for instance, allow for flexible work hours instead of rigid schedules starting at 8 a.m.
Additionally, there is a rise in media coverage around well-being. But what does emotional intelligence really mean?
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, control, and express our emotions while also managing relationships with others. It helps us understand emotions better and how to use this understanding for our well-being.
The more we learn about our emotions and their functions, the clearer our grasp of emotional intelligence becomes.
The term "emotion" comes from the Latin word for "to move away." This highlights that emotions drive us to take action. For instance, we feel the urge to thank someone who has done something nice for us or to react instinctively when faced with a threat.
Understanding these feelings is key to emotional intelligence; it involves looking inward and analyzing our emotional responses.
Historically, emotions served a survival purpose, but modern society can sometimes create a disconnect between our emotional instincts and what keeps us safe. Emotional intelligence helps us bridge this gap.
For example, we now realize that yelling at children isn’t effective for their development, while providing them with love and security is much more beneficial. By questioning our actions and feelings, we can heighten our awareness and improve our responses.
Emotional intelligence can be broken down into four main areas:
Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding our own emotions.
Self-regulation: Managing and controlling our emotions.
Social awareness: Understanding the emotions of others and their viewpoints.
Relationship management: Building and maintaining healthy relationships.
As we explore these four areas, we will include various exercises to help improve our emotional intelligence. Understanding how the brain functions in relation to emotional intelligence is also essential before diving into these points.