How to Coach Yourself and Others Influencing, Inter Personal and Leadership Skills | Page 105

2. So, What is Emotional Intelligence to me?
Emotional Intelligence is a concept focused on how effectively people work with others.
These Emotional Intelligence skills are unique from a person’s technical skills and
cognitive abilities. Multiple studies have shown that Emotional Intelligence competencies
often account for the difference between star performers and average performers,
particularly in positions of leadership.
In recent years, interest in Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has grown as research has shown
its impact on a variety of business measures. These include recruiting and job selection,
sales results and leadership performance.
3. How to effectively work with others
The key premise of Emotional Intelligence is that EQ skills relate to how effectively
people work with others, specifically around:
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Management
1) Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness means having a clear understanding of one’s emotions, strengths,
weaknesses, drives and capabilities. On the surface there’s really nothing new about this
concept – it’s been touted for thousands of years. But it’s a critical skill and it’s
overlooked by many people.
It’s so important because people with a high degree of self-awareness recognize how
their feelings and values affect them, and this relates to how they interact with others.
They tend to be very thoughtful in the sense that they take time to think about the
things that are important to them, and how their work and lives relate to these things.
This self reflection helps them to be aware of both their limitations and strengths, and
they’re candid about this.
2) Self-Management
Goleman says that Self-Management frees us from being prisoners to our emotions.
Without understanding what we’re feeling, we can’t control our feelings and this leaves
us at the mercy of our emotions. This is okay when it comes to positive emotions like
enthusiasm or success, but it’s a problem if we’re controlled by negative emotions like
frustration or anxiety.
People with this mastery are usually optimistic, upbeat and enthusiastic. This is
particularly important in the workplace because emotions are literally contagious.