Are you Emotionally Intelligence?

Have you ever considered if you are emotional intelligence? You might be scratching your head wondering what it means to be emotionally intelligent. It is quite simple actually, it is your ability to understand and manage our emotions and those of others. Emotional intelligence is much different from IQ. Your IQ is primarily genetic and does not change much from childhood. Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be learned or improved at any age, but requires practice and commitment.

You may be wondering what is so significant about having an understanding of your emotions and those of others. The primary reason is that we depend upon our connections with others for our personal stability. Our emotional system is what drives us to come to another person's emotional rescue, for example, a mother who comforts a crying child. Our emotional system is what causes people who are in love to feel pleasure and affection when they are together. Emotions can be influenced not only in loving relationships, but in every aspect of our lives.

Emotions are contagious. The best example of emotional contagion is laughter. When we hear laughter, we automatically smile or begin to laugh ourselves. There is a spontaneous spread of emotion through a group creating a positive emotional hijack. Smiling is one of the most contagious emotional signals. We have the power to make another smile without much resistance. Try it, smile at someone and I will guarantee they inevitably smile back. This creates a positive emotional response causing us to feel a sense of pleasure if just for a moment.

To realize if you have emotional intelligence you need to consider your level of skill in four areas of life, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and how you manage relationships. These four areas of skill are part of our everyday interactions with others. If you are self-aware, you know when you are feeling something. Your ability to control your emotional reactions in any situation and with all people demonstrates self-management. Social awareness is demonstrated by your ability to notice the emotions of others. Finally, relationship management is how you use your awareness of your emotions and understand the emotions of others leading to positive interpersonal relationships.

Emotions, both positive and negative, are contagious. Use your emotional intelligence as an approach for effective management of interpersonal relationships. If you wake-up in a bad mood on a Monday morning, use your self-awareness to deal with that emotion and do not spread it to others you encounter in your day. If you encounter someone who is in a bad mood, use your social awareness to notice that emotion and avoid being infected with the negative effects of that emotion. Remember emotional intelligence is your ability to manage our emotions as well as others. Also remember smiling and laughter are the most contagious and easily spread.

Emotional intelligence is a skill you can learn and improve at any point in your life it just takes practice. Start practicing today! Do not allow your emotions to hijack you leading you down a path of negativity infecting those who cross your path. Do not make light of your power to influence others with your emotions. Be aware of your emotions, learn to manage them appropriately, pay attention to the emotions of others and the affect on you, and use your awareness of your emotions and those of others to improve your relationships.