Historically, intelligence quotient (IQ) was the gold standard for rating human intelligence. Well, not anymore.
Emotional quotient (EQ) is the new benchmark used by many psychologists to gauge human capabilities. And while EQ is commonly applied with respect to social and interpersonal relationships, it can also offer useful insights into a person’s cognitive and intellectual abilities.
Read below for a guide to emotional intelligence, focusing on the tell-tale signs of a high EQ.
What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your feelings with a view to impacting the world around you. It’s also known as emotional quotient (EQ).
Emotionally intelligent people have a high control over their feelings. They can quickly tell when they’re joyful or sad, upbeat or gloomy, etc.
More importantly, EQ impacts how we respond to other people’s emotional needs.
For instance, your spouse recently surprised you with a romantic dinner or week-long vacation. But on the other hand, your dear friend’s marriage is heading for the rocks.
If you’re emotionally intelligent, you’ll avoid discussing your recent romantic escapades when hanging out with that friend. Instead, you’ll consider subjects that uplift their spirits.
As emotional intelligence is one of the most significant life skills, it’s imperative to master it from a tender age. The good news is that there are numerous emotional intelligence courses to take. A bit of research is needed to find a program that aligns with your interests and daily routine.
Signs You Have High Emotional Intelligence
1. You’re Aware of Your Emotions
Awareness of your emotions is one of the most reliable indicators of a high EQ. When you’re emotionally intelligent, you can quickly recognize your feelings and their impact on your behaviors and thought processes.
Two individuals may be both enraged by an action. However, their reactions would depend primarily on their EQ levels.
A person with a higher emotional intelligence may temper their reaction to avoid escalating the matter. Conversely, the one with a lower EQ may erupt like a volcano, exacerbating an already volatile situation.
Understanding your emotions and their potential impact on your immediate surroundings can be instrumental in fostering healthy social relationships.
2. You’re Aware of Other People’s Emotions
Emotionally competent people aren’t just aware of their own emotions. They’re also masters at reading the feelings of others.
If you’re emotionally intelligent, you can instantly tell that your spouse had a stressful day in the office without them necessarily saying a word. All you need is to read their body language and facial expressions.
The ability to recognize other people’s feelings can provide a head-start when approaching them to initiate a conversation, seek clarification, or issue instructions. It lets you convey messages tactfully despite the recipient’s current emotional disposition.
This can strengthen interpersonal bonds by convincing the other person that you deeply care about their well-being.
3. You’re More Empathetic
It’s one thing to be aware of other people’s thoughts and emotions. But understanding those feelings as if they were your own requires mastery in perspective-taking.
Emotional intelligence is about walking a mile in another person’s shoes before pronouncing judgment or criticism. It entails probing beyond the exterior projections and digging deeper into the motivations behind a person’s actions and words.
When you’re happy to take other people’s perspectives, you’ll be quicker to share in their challenges than reprimand them for their shortcomings. You’ll want to bring out the best in them through constant compliments and empathetic responses rather than shine the spotlight on their weakness.
Isn’t that what we all crave?
4. You’re A Team Player
Emotional intelligence often goes hand in hand with teamwork.
People with high EQ do not delight in the glory of their accomplishments, however significant they may be. Instead, they’re happy when the entire team takes the credit.
To foster the spirit of cooperation, an emotionally intelligent person may climb down to the levels of their fellow teammates to lift them. This would bring all team members at par, so everyone can pursue the shared goals more effectively.
Note that teamwork is another in-demand skill in the corporate world. Being a team player and high EQ can give you a head start while applying for jobs or promotions at work.
5. You’re An Excellent Communicator
Cuddling up to a hurting spouse doesn’t mean anything if you won’t whisper a few uplifting words into their ears.
Fortunately, people with emotional intelligence tend to be excellent communicators.
Not only are they eloquent in speech. They’re also gifted in saying the right thing at the right time. They know exactly which chords to strike depending on the present circumstances.
When giving a public speech, high-EQ individuals may avoid statements that alienate segments of their audiences. They would rather opt for general illustrations to ensure their messages get to all listeners undistorted.