Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence What is Below the Surface… Joshua Willard UMUC Europe HRMN 302

Main Points • What is Emotional Intelligence? • How can it be used in the workplace? • How to improve Emotional Intelligence? • How does it compare with IQ?

Emotional Intelligence • Emotional Intelligence(EI) is the understanding of one’s own and others emotions. This includes being able to perceive, control and evaluate said emotions.(Cherry) • In the early 1990’s Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer have been leading the discoveries of EI. • EI is broken down into four separate branches • Perceiving • Reasoning • Understanding • Managing

Perceiving • The first step in comprehending emotions is to recognize and distinguish them through non-verbal communication. • Facial expressions and Body Language are the top two noticeable signs on one’s emotions. • We as humans are hard-wired to detect other’s emotions to a degree. • As we are clued into an individual’s emotions we are then able to develop a plan to reason with them.

Reasoning • When reasoning with emotions you are using them to promote positive outcomes towards goals. • To reason with emotions, you are capitalizing on current moods. • It is a way to facilitate thought using emotions(Mayer).

Understanding • Expressed emotions portray information about you. • Their emotions foreshadow their possible actions. • Interpreting emotions can be beneficial in reaching desired outcomes.

Managing • Managing emotions is a mixture of the previous branches. • Regulating one’s own and other’s emotions can be used to reach desired outcomes or social goals. • According to Salovey and Mayer, The branches are in ascending order of intelligence.

EI at the Workplace • Empathy makes leaders in the workplace. • EI provides information about a person, and gives direction on how to confront them. • Helps in achieving your goals in understanding how people think.

Improving EI • In order to improve EI, there are five basic steps that need to be taken(Segal & Smith) • Quickly reduce stress • Emotional awareness • Nonverbal communication • Utilizing humor and play • Resolve conflict positively

Compared with IQ • Successful interaction between people is not based solely on IQ test(Walsh-Portillo). • IQ gives students an advantage in college, it does not help in social interaction. • The ability to comprehend emotions and understand individuals is considered a greater skill.

Pyramid of EI

Summary • Emotional Intelligence is understanding the emotions of other’s and own. • The different branches of EI. • EI benefits the workplace. • EI can be improved. • Although underrated by IQ, EI is arguably more important.

References • Cherry, K.(2013). What is Emotional Intelligence? Definitions, History, and Measures of Emotional Intelligence. Retrieved From: http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/a/emotionalintell.htm • Karnaze, M. (2009, March 31). Salovey and Mayer on Emotional Intelligence (1990). [Blog]. Retrieved From: http://mindfulconstruct.com/2009/03/31/salovey-mayer-on-emotional-intelligence-1990/ • Segal, J., & Smith, M. (2013). Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Retrieved From: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq5_raising_emotional_intelligence.htm • Mayer, J. D., (n.d.). The Four Branch Model of Emotional Intelligence. Retrieved From: http://www.unh.edu/emotional_intelligence/index.html • Walsh-Portillo, J. G., U.S. (2011). Emotional Intelligence and College Students. FIU Electronic Thesis and Dissertations, 1(1), 19-23. Retrieved From: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1598&context=etd

Emotional Intelligence