What is emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EQ) essentially involves two parts: first, becoming aware of how emotions in ourselves and others drive behaviours and second, developing the skills to manage these emotions intelligently, to leverage our personal strengths.
Why is it important within business?
Since Daniel Goleman wrote his seminal work “ Why EQ is more important than IQ” Emotional Intelligence has been at the forefront of modern business thinking. The research shows that developing the core EQ Competencies improves not only leadership performance, allowing employees to reach their full potential, but also helps address some of the most critical business challenges of the 21st century.
Can I improve my emotional intelligence?
People improve their EQ by first gaining insight into their social and emotional behaviours. Once they have done this through a scientifically valid psychometric tool, then they can implement specific tactics and strategies that are proven to help build emotional intelligence skills.
Research in behavioral psychology indicates that in order to change behaviour, people first need insight into how they behave in certain situations, and then they can implement particular strategies that systematically changes how they behave over time.
From a practical point of view, you can build levels of EQ within individuals by following a comprehensive 7 - step development process as follows:
Step 1 – Introductory educational seminar
Step 2 – Assessment of current level of competence using the ECR
Step 3 – Report and feedback bringing report findings to life
Step 4 – Emotional Capital group workshops
Step 5 – Individual and team coaching
Step 6 – E-learning modules
Step 7 – Evaluation and reassessment using the ECR
How does EQ work?
Ans: Our primary senses enter at the base of the brain and messages from there must travel to the front region of the brain, the pre-frontal cortex before we can think rationally about our experience. However, before they enter the rational part of our brain some signals travel through a series of structures referred to as the limbic system. This is a place where emotions are most acutely experienced.
Emotional Intelligence requires effective communication between the rational and emotional processing areas of the brain, and a ‘broadband connection’ between and across these areas is critical for developing high emotional intelligence.
Our ability to understand and reflect on our emotions helps us to use this information to arrive at accurate judgments and take positive, constructive action.
How do you measure EQ as it pertains to leadership performance?
An individual’s levels of EQ can be measured through an online psychometric assessment, which calculates their overall level of EQ, as well as their scores across specific EQ competencies linked to high leadership performance.
RocheMartin’s development of the ECR is an exciting innovation in the ability to define, measure and importantly, develop the key EQ competencies related to leadership success within business domains.
What are the benefits that come with enhancing an individual’s EQ?
The benefits of improving emotional intelligence for professional people include developing the ability to recognize, understand and manage emotions, as well as recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others. Building this ability enhances decision-making when under pressure, and ultimately, positively impacts performance and well-being.
Specifically, people with well-developed levels of EQ are better equipped to perform at their personal best when under pressure, they’re more resilient and adaptable to change, and they can work more productively within team environments.