Imagine you are in a team meeting where tensions are high. Two colleagues are clashing over a project deadline, and the room feels charged with frustration. Suddenly, your manager steps in not to shut down the conversation, but to acknowledge the emotions in the room. They say, "I can see this is frustrating for both of you. Let's take a step back and understand where each of us is coming from." Within minutes, the tone shifts. The team starts listening, and the conflict begins to resolve.
This is emotional intelligence in action.
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognise, understand, manage, and influence emotions, both in yourself and in others. It is not about suppressing emotions or being overly sentimental; it is about using emotional awareness to guide thinking, behaviour, and interactions.
The concept was popularised by psychologist Daniel Goleman in the 1990s, who argued that EI is just as important as IQ for success in life and work. Unlike cognitive intelligence, which is largely fixed, emotional intelligence can be developed and strengthened over time.
Goleman's framework breaks emotional intelligence into five key components:
The foundation of EI. Self-awareness is the ability to recognise your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and drivers and understand how they affect others. It is about being honest with yourself and acknowledging your emotional state in the moment.
Example: A leader who notices they are feeling overwhelmed before a big presentation might take a few deep breaths or ask a colleague for support, rather than snapping at their team.
Once you are aware of your emotions, self-regulation is the ability to manage them effectively. This does not mean ignoring emotions; it means responding appropriately rather than reacting impulsively. It includes staying calm under pressure, adapting to change, and maintaining integrity.
Example: Instead of lashing out after receiving critical feedback, a self-regulated professional takes time to process the input and responds thoughtfully.
Emotionally intelligent people are driven by internal motivation, a passion for the work itself, a desire to achieve, and a commitment to personal and organisational goals. They are resilient in the face of setbacks and take initiative rather than waiting for external rewards.
Example: A motivated team member who misses a promotion does not give up; they ask for feedback, set new goals, and continue growing.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is about seeing the world from someone else's perspective and responding with compassion. Empathy builds trust, fosters collaboration, and helps resolve conflicts.
Example: A manager notices a team member seems distracted and checks in with them privately, only to learn they are dealing with a personal issue. The manager adjusts their expectations and offers support.
The culmination of the other four components. Social skills involve managing relationships effectively, communicating clearly, inspiring others, and working well in teams. It is about building rapport, influencing others, and navigating social complexities.
Example: A leader who excels in social skills can mediate conflicts, build diverse teams, and create a positive, productive work environment.
These five components do not work in isolation. For instance:
Self-awareness helps you recognise when you are feeling stressed, which is the first step in self-regulation.
Empathy allows you to understand a colleague's frustration, while social skills help you address it constructively.
Motivation keeps you focused on long-term goals, even when emotions run high.
Together, they create a holistic approach to emotional intelligence that enhances every aspect of your professional life.
Take a moment to think about a recent workplace interaction. Did you:
Recognise your own emotions and their impact on others?
Manage those emotions effectively?
Show empathy toward others' perspectives?
Use your social skills to navigate the situation?
If you answered yes to most of these, you are already applying emotional intelligence. If not, do not worry; this course will help you strengthen these skills.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage emotions in yourself and others, and it is a critical skill for success in the modern workplace. By developing self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, you can build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and create a more positive work environment.
