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emotional intelligence

what is EQ and why is it so important?

what is EQ?

EQ is emotional intelligence. It is the perception, evaluation and use of emotions to increase self-awareness and build strong constructive connections with oneself and others. A hierarchy of EQ skills can be understood as follows (from basic to complex):

  1. Perception of emotions
  2. Reasoning with emotions
  3. Understanding emotions
  4. Managing emotions

Emotional intelligence can be broken down into four key attributes:

  1. Self-management: healthily managing emotions and behaviours, taking initiative, upholding commitments and being adaptable
  2. Self-awareness: recognizing one's own strengths and limitations, understanding the effects of ones' emotions on ones' behaviour and self-confidence
  3. Social awareness: having empathy in understanding others needs, emotions and concerns, reading emotional queues adeptly, social comfort and recognition of group dynamics
  4. Relationship management: skill in developing and maintaining relationships, clear communication, ability to work well with, inspire and influence others, and conflict management

EQ versus IQ

EQ refers to emotional intellegence, whereas IQ is focussed on cognitive capacity and reasoning abilities. In simple terms, one might differentiate EQ as being "street smart" and IQ as being "book smart."

Theorists suggest that intelligence is not a singular trait but constitutes many varying types of intelligence - emotional, social, intellectual, practical etc. Individuals may vary in their distribution of these different types of intelligence.

While people refer to general intelligence the "g factor", some experts place extra focus on emotional intelligence or EQ, as they believe it plays a vital role in the way that people live and experience their lives. However, traditional intelligence tests focussed on IQ, which is meant to express a person's overall mental ability.

IQ tests focus on:

  1. Visual and spacial processing
  2. General knowledge of the world
  3. Fluid reasoning
  4. Working memory and short-term memory
  5. Quantitative reasoning

EQ tests, in contrast, focus on:

  1. Identifying emotions
  2. Evaluating how others feel
  3. Controlling one's own emotions
  4. Facilitating social communication
    through using emotions
  5. Ability to relate to others

Where IQ may describe skill in academic pursuits, critical thinking and logic, EQ may indicate prowess in self-awareness, motivation, empathy for oneself and others, and self-control.

why EQ?

Social benefits

Navigating the social complexities of work or education, becoming a leader, inspiring and influencing others and excelling in one's career.

Physical health

Stress reduction and nervous system regulation.

Mental Health

Reduced stress leading to a reduction in vulnerability to anxiety and depression.

Relationships

Increased emotional awareness, empathy and connection to others, which can help to build stronger relationships both at work and in one's personal life.

Social intelligence

Develop social awareness of others, learn how to create boundaries and share love and connection with others.

(re)sources

Help Guide - EQ

Very Well Mind - What is Emotional Intelligence?

Very Well Mind - IQ or EQ, which is more important?