What Is
Emotional
Intelligence?

it’s being smarter
with feelings

What Is the Definition of Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence isthe capacity to blend thinking and feeling to make optimal decisions. It’s being smarter with feelings.

In theSix Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence, it is broken down into 3 pursuits:

  • Self-Awareness: Be more aware, by清楚地看到你的感觉和做什么
  • Choice: Be more intentional, bydoing what you mean to do
  • Purpose: Be more purposeful, bydoing it for a reason

These pursuits are made measurable and actionable by 8 unique emotional intelligence skills, which are explained below.

To dive right in to how to develop emotional intelligence,here’s a guide.

History of Emotional Intelligence

It can be argued that the study of emotional intelligence began about 2,000 years ago when Plato wrote, “All learning has an emotional base.” But the term emotional intelligence – as a scientifically testable form of “intelligence” – goes back to a seminal article published in 1990 by two researchers, Peter Salavoy and John Mayer. It was later popularized by Dan Goleman in his 1995 bookEmotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.Inspired by Goleman’s book, in 1997, Six Seconds’ team created a framework for teaching and practicing the skills of emotional intelligence. For more on the history and origins of emotional intelligence,read this article.

Why Emotional Intelligence Is Important

Emotional intelligence is key to having a successful relationship with yourself and others. Numerous studies have linked emotional intelligence to critical life success factors, such as better effectiveness, relationships, wellbeing and quality of life. EQ has been found to be twice as predictive of performance as IQ, though as we’ll discuss below, the two are often incorrectly characterized as mutually exclusive. To learn more about the importance of emotional intelligence, check outA Case for Emotional Intelligence: A Free eBook, orreal-world case studies of EQ in action.

Can Emotional Intelligence Be Measured and Improved?

Emotional intelligence is a learnable, measurable, scientifically validated skillset. Six Seconds has developed asuite of tools to measure emotional intelligenceat the individual and organizational level, and here is acomparison of different valid emotional intelligence tests.If you’re interested in learning about your own emotional intelligence, we’ve made one of our reports free.Here’s the linkto take the world’s leading EQ assessment and get a free, introductory report.

For a deep dive into practical ways to learn and develop emotional intelligence, check outHow to Develop Emotional Intelligence.

Want to learn more about your own emotional intelligence?

Take the SEI, the world’s leading emotional intelligence assessment, and get an introductory report for just $5.

8 Measurable, Learnable Emotional Intelligence Skills

As discussed above, theSix Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligenceis designed to make emotional intelligence actionable – and not just a theoretical concept.

These 8 measurable, learnable skills form of the basis of the world’s leading emotional intelligence assessment, the SEI. Which do you think are your strengths? Or most challenging areas?

  • Enhance Emotional Literacy:Accurately identifying and interpreting both simple and compound feelings.
  • Recognize Patterns: Acknowledging frequently recurring reactions and behaviors.
  • Apply Consequential Thinking: Evaluating the costs and benefits of your choices.
  • Navigate Emotions: Assessing, harnessing, and transforming emotions as a strategic resource.
  • 参与Intrinsic Motivation: Gaining energy from personal values & commitments vs. being driven by external forces.
  • Exercise Optimism: Taking a proactive perspective of hope and possibility.
  • Increase Empathy: Recognizing, connecting with, and appropriately responding to emotions.
  • Pursue Noble Goals: Connecting your daily choices with your overarching sense of purpose.

IQ vs. EQ

Is EQ more important than IQ? Honestly, it’s the wrong question. These aspects of intelligence need to work together. Emotional intelligence is an enabler of cognitive development. Looking at the fascinating body ofneuro-learning researchfrom Mary Helen Immordino Yang and other cognitive neuroscientists (see Medina’sBrain Rulesfor a good introduction), a new perspective emerges: at a neurological level, thinking and emotion work together. We don’t “think” with one part of the brain and “feel” with another; the process of learning is built into the very same neural circuits as the process of social-emotional interaction. It’s a myth that we “think” with one part of the brain and “feel” with another. With that said, our educational system has focused almost exclusively on cognitive development, aimed at improving IQ, andthe results of this singular focus are predictable. To learn more about the differences and similarities of IQ and EQ, check out:IQ vs. EQ: Why it matters what you measure.

Top Videos on Emotional Intelligence

Check out the top YouTube videos on emotional intelligence, from the world’s largest emotional intelligence non-profit:

Top Articles on Emotional Intelligence

Read about the science and practice of emotional intelligence, with a focus on practical application:

//www.my-pmu.com/articles/

More Emotional Intelligence Resources

Six Seconds is the world’s largest emotional intelligence non-profit. Our mission is to support people to practice and improve emotional intelligence. For a great introduction on how to develop emotional intelligence,here’s a guide.

Subscribe to our newsletter for once-a-week updates:

//www.my-pmu.com/emotional-intelligence/subscribe/

Check out upcoming events:

https://events.6seconds.org/

Check out emotional intelligence products:

https://events.6seconds.org/

Make emotional intelligence part of your day by joining us on social media

Emotional intelligence (EQ) = being smarter with feelings

EQ is a learnable, measurable skill that predicts improved effectiveness, relationships, quality of life & wellbeing (here's the research)

同时介绍tion to emotional intelligence Take an EQ assessment
How to grow your EQ skills Join the Six Seconds community
Subscribe for free updates Dive in with Unlocking EQ
Discover upcoming EQ events About Six Seconds

You get what you measure - so measure what matters

For many people, emotional intelligence is intangible -- so we created assessments that make it clear, actionable, and practical.

同时介绍tion to the EQ tests Individual EQ Assessments
Find the right assessment with the Tool Finder Organizational Emotional Intelligence Tests

Build capacity for transformation

Six Seconds started the world's first EQ Practitioner Certification and is widely known as the global leader in how to develop emotional intelligence. Public & in-house EQ certification.

Start with Unlocking EQ →

See all Certifications →

Explore Professional Accreditations:

Certified EQ Coach Certified Social Emotional Learning Specialist
Certified EQ Consultant Certified EQ Facilitator

Emotions Drive People :: People Drive Performance

Six Seconds provides businesses with tools, methods & expertise to improve the people-side of performance with emotional intelligence. As shown in the case study library, EQ strengthens leadership, team effectiveness, customer service/sales, accelerating change, and building a high-performing culture.

同时介绍tion to EQ in business Find an expert (coach, consultant, facilitator)
Case study library About Six Seconds
Upcoming Events Six Seconds' Clients

You get what you measure - so measure what matters

For effective, evidence-based development, Six Seconds publishes a system of emotional intelligence tests yielding practical, actionable insights.

同时介绍tion to the EQ tests Individual EQ Assessments
Find the right assessment with the Tool Finder Organizational Emotional Intelligence Tests

Build capacity for transformation

Six Seconds started the world's first EQ Practitioner Certification and is widely known as the global leader in how to develop emotional intelligence. Public & in-house EQ certification.

Start with Unlocking EQ →

See all Certifications →

Explore Professional Accreditations:

Certified EQ Consultant Certified EQ Facilitator
Certified EQ Coach Certified Social Emotional Learning Specialist

At the Heart of Learning

Six Seconds is the comprehensive source for tools, methods & expertise to improve education -- around the globe, across the age span, for all stakeholders.

同时介绍tion to EQ in education POP-UP Festivalin partnership with UNICEF
What is Social Emotional Learning? Find an expert (coach, consultant, facilitator)
EQ / SEL in higher education About Six Seconds
Upcoming events Pioneers in SEL

You get what you measure - so measure what matters

For effective, evidence-based development, Six Seconds publishes a system of emotional intelligence tests yielding practical, actionable insights.

同时介绍tion to the EQ tests Individual EQ Assessments
Find the right assessment with the Tool Finder Education Vital Signs

Build capacity for transformation

Six Seconds started the world's first EQ Practitioner Certification and is widely known as the global leader in how to develop emotional intelligence. Public & in-house EQ certification.

Start with the EQ Educator Certification →

See all Certifications →

Explore Professional Accreditations:

Certified EQ Coach Certified Social Emotional Learning Specialist
Certified EQ Consultant Certified EQ Facilitator

关于发展情商的问题吗?勒t's talk!

Six Seconds' vision is a billion people practicing emotional intelligence, because we think it will make the world a better place. We are a nonprofit org supporting changemakers in every sector, in every country, with transformational EQ tools and methods.

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