The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient is defined as intelligence regarding the emotions, especially in the ability to monitor ones' own or others' emotions. (The American Heritage Dictionary.) E.Q. (Emotional Quotient) may spark a familiar term in your mind, a separate concept entirely, which is I.Q. I.Q. or Intelligence quotient is simply defined as "The ratio of tested mental age to chronological age, usually expressed as a quotient multiplied by 100." (Answers.com)

I.Q. testing has been the accepted method for measuring one's intelligence for over 100 years. However, what most individuals do not know is that scientific studies in intelligence indicate that I.Q. translates into less than 30% of a persons' outcome in life. That means that a high intelligence quotient is not equivalent to a high income, a rewarding career or a happy and successful adulthood. If I.Q. accounts for less than 30 percent of a persons all around mental worth then what makes up the remaining 70 plus percent?

The roots of E.Q. date back as far as Darwin. The concept as we relate to it today comes from Daniel Goleman, a psychologist from the United States. Golman argued, in his book "Emotional Intelligence" that self control, self awareness and compassion greatly increase the caliber of a person in the workplace. This may seem like an obvious deduction to most of us, so why is it so important now?

A popular new screening tool among many major employers is an emotional intelligence test. Scientists and psychologists have developed these pre employment performance evaluations for companies to ensure they hire the best employees. It's no longer enough to have the highest G.P.A or S.A.T. scores. You're I.Q. may simply be off the charts, but if you don't have the emotional intelligence to back it up then you're not going to get the job.

Luckily your emotional intelligence is not set in stone. However, it will take quite a bit of work and dedication to improve it. It can be very difficult learning to accept, recognize and understand our own emotions and the emotions of others, but it can be done. Here are some tips to help you get started on improving your emotional intelligence:

Develop a game plan to deal with various emotions. If you get anxious in certain situations, try breathing deep and taking control of your nerves.

Pay attention to what you are feeling. If you're angry about being stuck in traffic on your way to work, that's okay. It may help you to get over your anger by taking a moment to look around and see that everyone else around you is in the same boat.

Realize that you are responsible for your own happiness and mood.

Know that your feelings are valid and do not allow anyone to make you feel otherwise.

You can improve your own emotional intelligence by treating people in a way that you would like to be treated.

Really listen to what others are saying to you. Do not just wait for your turn to talk.

Learn to read body language. Can you tell if a person feels uncomfortable, even if verbally they tell you they're fine?

Not everyone is born or raised with emotional intelligence, and that's okay because it can be learned. Most of the time you can improve your emotional intelligence on your own, the key is paying attention. Pay attention to what you feel and pay attention to what others around you are feeling.

I recommend reading the book "All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. Most of us would have never considered that all of those little lessons that we were taught in kindergarten would land the big job later in life. However, that first year in school was practically nothing but a lesson on emotional intelligence. We learned to share, care, respect, and now that they can test our E.Q. kindergarten has never seemed so important!

Knowing your emotional intelligence and improving it, if need be, is not only in your best interest career wise, but it will make you a happier person all around. There are various tests available to you online to check your own emotional intelligence. The sooner you get started on improving yourself, the better your life will be in and out of the workplace.