Emotional intelligence

ARTICLE BY,

VIVEK.M

Emotional intelligence

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to explain the meaning and concept of emotional intelligence. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability and capacity to identify, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, of others, and of groups. It determines how well a person will perform on the job. Let us see about EI in detail in this article.

Models of emotional intelligence

The three important models of emotional intelligence are

• Ability EI models
• Bar on model of EI
• Trait EI model

The ability-based model

"The ability to perceive and integrate emotion to facilitate thought, understand and regulate emotions to promote personal growth."

The model proposes that individuals vary in their ability to process information of an emotional nature. The model claims that EI includes 4 types of abilities:

1. Perceiving emotions —. It is a basic aspect of emotional intelligence, as it makes all other processing of emotional information possible.
2. Using emotions — the emotionally intelligent person can capitalize fully upon his or her changing moods in order to best fit the task at hand.
3. Understanding emotions — how much a person understands the emotion.
4. Managing emotions — the ability to regulate emotions in both ourselves and in others.

The Bar-On model of Emotional-Social Intelligence (ESI)

Bar-On defines emotional intelligence as being concerned with effectively understanding oneself and others, relating well to people.

The Trait EI model

Trait EI is "a constellation of emotion-related self-perceptions located at the lower levels of personality".

Alexithymia and EI

Alexithymia ("lack of words for emotions") appeared to have deficiencies in understanding, processing, or describing their emotions. The individual's level of alexithymia can be measured with self-scored questionnaires such as the Observer Alexithymia Scale (OAS).

Criticism of the theoretical foundation of EI

The important criticism includes

ü EI is too broadly defined and the definitions are unstable

ü EI cannot be recognized as a form of intelligence

ü EI has no substantial predictive value

Importance of Emotional Intelligence

1. General happiness

Emotional intelligence leads to general happiness. High EQ (motivation, satisfaction, friendship, appreciation) generates positive feelings which results into general happiness. Low EQ (disappointment, loneliness, depression, sorrow) generates negative feelings which result into general unhappiness.

2. Fulfilling social objectives

Persons with High EQ are assets of society while persons with Low EQ are liabilities for it. High EQ brings general happiness in the society including family, friendship group and work organization. A person with Low EQ becomes self-centred.

3. Rationality in behaviour

With High EQ, a person is able to see the situation under which the behaviour takes place in right perspective. The person is able to establish right relationship between ends and means and his behaviour tends to be rational.

Conclusion

People are thinking that Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is an important aspect of a company's success. But EI only determines how well a person will perform on the job which will reflect in the output of the person. Though technical skills and general intelligence are important, EI is twice as important. EI is incredibly important, making the difference between effective and mediocre leadership.