How to Develop
Emotional
Intelligence

3 Key Emotional
Intelligence Skills

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is being smarter with feelings – the capacity to blend thinking and feeling to make optimal decisions.

It’s a learnable, measurable, scientifically validated skillset.

For more, check outWhat Is Emotional Intelligence?

Start Practicing Emotional Intelligence Today

This free workbook offers tips and strategies to develop your emotional intelligence, from the world’s largest EQ nonprofit.

Why Develop Emotional Intelligence?

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.

As shown in the graph, there is an extremely strong, positive relationship betweenemotional intelligence testscores and success scores. Notice that these variables move together, up to the right. It means that developing the learnable skills of emotional intelligence is, statistically, a sound way to improve scores on success. Also, notice the “empty space” in the top left and bottom-right. It means that if you want to have high success scores, you need EQ.

Can You Develop Emotional Intelligence?

Contrary to popular belief, emotional intelligencecanbe learned and developed. Numerous studies have found EQ to be measurable and learnable – with real impact and results for individuals and organizations.Check out these case studies from all over the world.

If you want to develop emotional intelligence personally – or professionally – where is a good place to start?

TheSix Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligenceis a great place to start to develop emotional intelligence, whether EQ is a new concept for you or something you’ve studied for years. Here’s a brief overview, and a few activities to get started.

情商的6秒模型:
3 Emotional Intelligence Skills to Put EQ Theory Into Practice

The Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence consists of 3 main pursuits:

1. To become more aware (noticing what you do)
2. To be more intentional (doing what you mean)
3.To be more purposeful (doing it for a reason)

Start practicing by taking a few seconds, a few times a day, to go through those steps. You can use these three questions:

1. What am I feeling?

Tune in– Notice your feelings and reactions. Get off autopilot. Tune in to what’s happening inside. Six Seconds calls this stepKnow Yourself.

These are the 3 steps of the Six Seconds Model of EQ.Learn more here.

2. What options do I have?

Respond– Instead of reacting, give yourself a moment to de-escalate and evaluate all of your options. Six Seconds calls thisChoose Yourself.

3.我真正想要的是什么呢?

Connect– Remember what’s truly important to you, consider others, and then move forward with those in mind. Six Seconds calls thisGive Yourself.

Resources to Develop Emotional Intelligence

Take our free emotional intelligence test and get your results in minutes.

Browse 1000s of videos about emotional intelligence on our YouTube channel.

Explore articles on key emotional intelligence topics and the latest research

Check out upcoming events, virtual and in person!

Get hands-on products that you can use to develop emotional intelligence

Deepen your expertise and turn emotional intelligence theory into practice

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)

Introduction 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.

Introduction to the EQ tests 个人情商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.

Introduction 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.

Introduction to the EQ tests 个人情商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.

Introduction 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.

Introduction to the EQ tests 个人情商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

Questions about growing emotional intelligence? Let'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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