What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you. There are five key elements to EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.

From mhanational.org | "What is emotional intelligence and how does it apply to the workplace? | Mental Health America"

How is it different to IQ?

IQ tests measure your ability to solve problems, use logic, and grasp or communicate complex ideas. EQ tests measure your ability to recognize emotion in yourself and others, and to use that awareness to guide your decisions.

From healthline.com | "EQ vs IQ: How They Differ, Which Is More Important?"

Why is it important?

Emotional intelligence has significant benefits to your ability to learn, perform and get hired. Dev academy cites three primary benefits of strengthening EQ to be:

1. Stellar performance | Distinguishing yourself from an average performer to a top performer.

6 factors in the tech sector are:

• Achievement drive and standards
• Influence
• Conceptual Thinking
• Analytical Ability
• Initiative
• Self-Confidence

Note how 4/6 factors pertain to EQ, not IQ.

2. Outstanding leadership | Distinguishing yourself from an average leader to an outstanding leader.

“For those in leadership positions, emotional intelligence skills account for close to 90 per cent of what distinguishes outstanding leaders from those judged as average.” Kemper 1999

3. Happiness | To reach an optimal state of being.

• Keeping a healthy mind.
• Having a sense of capability.
• Having a sense of stability and grounding.
• Being aware of your strengths and limitations.

Optimal - most desirable or satisfactory, best or most favourable.