Emotional Intelligence

What is Emotional Intelligence?

It is the ability to monitor one’s own and other’s feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and use this information to guide one’s thinking and action. The word “Emotional Intelligence” came up in 1990 with Peter Salovey and John Mayer. To be in a leadership role, emotional intelligence is must. It helps to successfully coach teams, manage stress, deliver feedback, and collaborate with others.

Few people from the cultural, academic or business environment ignore the term or its meaning. And this is mainly due to the work of Daniel Goleman, a researcher and journalist for the New York Times, who brought the subject to the spotlight throughout the world through his work 'Emotional Intelligence' (1995).

Elements of EI

There are many EI models of which some are:

Self-Awareness - People with high EI are usually very self-aware. They understand their emotions, and because of this, they don't let their feelings rule them. They're confident – because they trust their intuition and don't let their emotions get out of control. They're also willing to take an honest look at themselves. They know their strengths and weaknesses, and they work on these areas so they can perform better. A lack of self-awareness can seriously affect how we react towards others

Self-Regulation - This is the ability to control emotions and impulses. People who self-regulate typically don't allow themselves to become too angry or jealous, and they don't make impulsive, careless decisions. They think before they act. Characteristics of self-regulation are thoughtfulness, comfort with change, integrity, and the ability to say no.

Motivation - People with a high degree of EI are usually motivated. They're willing to defer immediate results for long-term success. They're highly productive, love a challenge, and are very effective in whatever they do.

Empathy - This is perhaps the second-most important element of EI. Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand the wants, needs, and viewpoints of those around you. People with empathy are good at recognizing the feelings of others, even when those feelings may not be obvious. As a result, empathetic people are usually excellent at managing relationships, listening, and relating to others. They avoid stereotyping and judging too quickly, and they live their lives in a very open, honest way.

Social Skills - It's usually easy to talk to and like people with good social skills, another sign of high EI. Those with strong social skills are typically team players. Rather than focus on their own success first, they help others develop and shine. They can manage disputes, are excellent communicators, and are masters at building and maintaining relationships.

Emotional quotient (EQ) can increase with deliberate practice and training.

A good project manager should definitely have the EI skills.

References URL for more information

Emotional Intelligence is Key for a Project Manager
Developing Strong People Skills