Updated on January 26, 2022 Emotional intelligence skills are
abilities that allow you to understand and manage your emotions. These skills are linked to a range of benefits including academic achievement, decision-making abilities, and overall success in life. Some experts have suggested that emotional intelligence, or EQ, might even be
more important than IQ. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, manage, and understand emotions. This includes the ability to recognize, interpret, and regulate your own emotions as well as those of other people. What does it take to be emotionally intelligent? According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, who popularized and wrote extensively about the concept, there are five components of emotional intelligence. This article discusses what you can do to learn to improve these emotional intelligence skills. By working on and increasing these skills, you can become more emotionally intelligent and raise your EQ. 1 Self-AwarenessTom Werner / Getty Images Self-awareness, or the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions, is a critical emotional intelligence skill. Beyond just recognizing your emotions, however, is being aware of the effect of your actions, moods, and emotions on other people. To become self-aware, you must be capable of monitoring your own emotions, recognizing different emotional reactions, and then correctly identifying each particular emotion. Self-aware individuals also recognize the relationships between the things they feel and how they behave. These individuals also recognize their own strengths and limitations, are open to new information and experiences, and learn from their interactions with others. Goleman suggests that people who possess self-awareness have a good sense of humor, are confident in themselves and their abilities, and are aware of how other people perceive them. Press Play for Advice On GrowthHosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to build a growth mindset. Click below to listen now.
Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts 2 Self-Regulation10'000 Hours / Getty Images In addition to being aware of your own emotions and the impact you have on others, emotional intelligence requires you to be able to regulate and manage your emotions. This doesn't mean putting emotions on lockdown and hiding your true feelings—it simply means waiting for the right time and place to express them. Self-regulation is all about expressing your emotions appropriately. Those who are skilled in self-regulation tend to be flexible and adapt well to change. They are also good at managing conflict and diffusing tense or difficult situations. People with strong self-regulation skills also tend to be high in conscientiousness. They are thoughtful about how they influence others, and they take responsibility for their own actions. How to Improve Self-Regulation
3 Social SkillsHinterhaus Productions / Getty Images Being able to interact well with others is another important aspect of emotional intelligence. Having strong social skills allows people to build meaningful relationships with other people and develop a stronger understanding of themselves and others. True emotional understanding involves more than just understanding your own emotions and those of others. You also need to be able to put this information to work in your daily interactions and communications. In professional settings, managers benefit by being able to build relationships and connections with employees. Workers benefit from being able to develop a strong rapport with leaders and co-workers. Important social skills include active listening, verbal communication skills, nonverbal communication skills, leadership, and persuasiveness. How to Improve Social Skills
4 EmpathyKlaus Vedfelt / Getty Images Empathy, or the ability to understand how others are feeling, is absolutely critical to emotional intelligence. But it involves more than just being able to recognize the emotional states of others. It also involves your responses to people based on this information. When you sense that someone is feeling sad or hopeless, how do you respond? You might treat them with extra care and concern, or you might make an effort to buoy their spirits. Being empathetic also allows you to understand the power dynamics that often influence social relationships, especially in workplace settings. This is important for guiding your interactions with different people you encounter each day. Those competent in this area are able to sense who possesses power in different relationships. They also understand how these forces influence feelings and behaviors. Because of this, they can accurately interpret different situations that hinge on such power dynamics. How to Build Empathy
5 MotivationChad Springer / Getty Images Intrinsic motivation is another important emotional intelligence skill. People who are emotionally intelligent are motivated by things beyond external rewards like fame, money, recognition, and acclaim. Instead, they have a passion to fulfill their own inner needs and goals. They seek internal rewards, experience flow from being totally in tune with an activity, and pursue peak experiences. Those who are competent in this area tend to be action-oriented. They set goals, have a high need for achievement, and are always looking for ways to do better. They also tend to be very committed and are good at taking initiative. How to Improve Motivation
Why Emotional Intelligence Skills Are ImportantPossessing strong emotional intelligence skills can have a number of positive effects on a person's life. People who have such skills always seem to keep their cool. They are able to handle even the most awkward social situations with grace. And they always seem to make others feel at ease. Some of the key benefits of having good emotional intelligence skills include improved:
Having emotional intelligence abilities also allows you to feel greater empathy for the people around you. This skill plays an important role in developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Creating strong connections with other people allows you to foster and strengthen a social support network, which plays a pivotal role in both physical and mental health. RecapBuilding your emotional intelligence skills can have a positive impact on your life. In addition to helping you become more aware of your own feelings, these skills can help you build stronger relationships and succeed in social situations. A Word From VerywellEmotional intelligence is essential for understanding yourself as well as successfully navigating your social world. While some people tend to come by these skills naturally, there are strategies that anyone can use to learn and strengthen their emotional intelligence skills. Frequently Asked Questions
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By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What are the three types of needs?Understanding McClelland's Theory
In the early 1940s, Abraham Maslow created his theory of needs . This identified the basic needs that human beings have, in order of their importance: physiological needs, safety needs, and the needs for belonging, self-esteem and "self-actualization".
Which of the following theorists claimed physiological social and psychological needs motivate people toward certain behaviors?Maslow's theory states that our actions are motivated by certain physiological and psychological needs that progress from basic to complex.
What is McClelland's achievement theory?Key Points. McClelland's Human Motivation Theory states that every person has one of three main driving motivators: the needs for achievement, affiliation, or power. These motivators are not inherent; we develop them through our culture and life experiences. Achievers like to solve problems and achieve goals.
What is achievement Motivation theory?“Achievement Motivation Theory attempts to explain and predict behavior and performance based on a person's need for achievement, power, and affiliation” (Lussier & Achua, 2007, p. 42). The Achievement Motivation Theory is also referred to as the Acquired Needs Theory or the Learned Needs Theory.
What is the need for achievement affiliation and power?The need for achievement, power, and affiliation are three primary types of motives or motivational drives that influence a broad spectrum of behavior, from how one interacts on an interpersonal level to one's choice of and/or success in an occupation.
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