Over the past few years, emotional intelligence (EI) has become one of the most popular concepts in psychology. It is typically defined as the ability to recognize your emotions and learn how to manage them.

Many believe that it can be improved through practice, but there are no standardized tests to measure it. That means there is no clear way to determine if someone truly has high EI or not.

Some studies claim that people with higher EI are more likely to succeed in life, while others find the opposite – that those who have higher EQ are less successful due to their lack of control over their feelings.

This article will discuss the differences between emotional quotient (EQ), which is often confused with emotional literacy, and emotional intelligence. While they are related, they are different things. I will also talk about some ways you can improve your emotional intelligence so you do not suffer from low self-esteem like many unsuccessful people.

Disclaimer: The information discussed in this article does not constitute medical advice. You should always seek professional help and diagnosis from a licensed doctor or psychiatrist for any mental health condition.

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Keep reading to discover what makes up emotional intelligence and some tips on improving yours!

Emotional Quotient vs Emotional Intelligence

The term “emotional intelligence” was first used by Daniel Goleman back in 1987 when he published his bestseller book "Psychology". He referred to it as emotional quotient (IQ).

The different branches of emotional intelligence

People often talk about how important it is to have empathy, for example, but there are other qualities in this category that bear mentioning. Another term used to describe empathizing with others’ emotions is sympathy, which differs from empathetic in that it requires you to identify more strongly with the person experiencing an emotion rather than having wider experiences with similar emotions.

A second branch of emotional intelligence is called understanding or comprehension, which means being able to recognize what someone else is feeling and why they are feeling that way. This also includes knowing when something is wrong and what can be done to address the issue.

A third area of emotional intelligence is referred to as motivationally engaging with others. This means noticing what people do and don’t want and trying to determine if there’s anything you could do to help them feel happier. It can include motivating them towards a goal by telling them why it is worth achieving or encouraging them to try new things that they may not have before.

The five levels of emotional intelligence

Level one is your surface level EQ, or what people typically refer to as “emotional quotient.” This is how you respond to and process emotions in general. It includes things like whether you use emotion-focused or logic-focused thinking, and if you are able to recognize someone's emotions.

Level two is self-awareness, which is understanding your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to emotions. For example, some people may feel more motivated after a success, while other people may become dejected after achieving something. They may also know what sets off their own emotions and those of others.

At level three, you learn how to regulate your emotions. This means being able to identify potential triggers for emotions and finding ways to prevent them from taking place. For instance, talking about difficult topics can be a source of stress, so learning how to prepare ahead of time will help mitigate that.

The fourth level is ability, which refers to using emotions to motivate yourself towards goals. Some people may need motivation more frequently than others, but no matter what type of person you are, everyone needs inspiration at times.

And finally, level five is utilizing your emotions to benefit you and helping yourself grow. This could be through acknowledging and accepting your feelings, practicing mindfulness, engaging in activities you enjoy, etc.

Skills of emotional intelligence

There are five main skills that make up your EQ or emotional quotient. They’re referred to as self-awareness, empathy, impulse control, motivation, and quality of relationships.

All of these qualities relate to each other, and having high levels in any one is important for staying happy and healthy.

But remember, when it comes to emotions there is no ‘right�’ way to respond.

You can be just as effective at lowering someone else’s mood by responding with anger rather than sadness, or vice versa. So try not to get too focused on which ones you should have and how you should use them.

Instead think about what types of situations require different strategies and learn those. Then, every time something happens, you’ll know whether this is an area where you need to work on yourself or if you could offer some help to someone else.

How to improve your emotional intelligence

Developing your empathy is one of the most important things you can do to increase your emotional quotient.

Empathy comes in many forms, but it usually involves putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and understanding how they feel.

You could empathize with them by thinking about something similar that happened to you or something you experienced.

Or you could identify with their situation more directly by feeling what they feel.

Some ways to develop this skill are practicing gratitude, forgiving people who hurt you, educating yourself about causes of their behavior, and seeking out experiences that teach you about human nature.

Emotional awareness

A large part of emotional intelligence is actually understanding your emotions. You’re not supposed to be able to feel them, but you should at least understand what they are.

This is called emotional awareness. It seems simple enough, right? But it can be tricky.

Most people have a hard time identifying their own feelings. They may believe that someone else could always tell if they were happy or sad, even in the midst of an argument. That isn’t necessarily true though- we all have secrets we keep from each other.

Some things make us more likely to show our emotions — like when we think we’ll get punished for them. Others, like fear, can totally distort how we perceive reality and what we expect will happen next.

Emotions also change depending upon what situation you’re in. For example, if you want something really badly, like food, you might feel hungry. But if you’ve just eaten, then you might feel tired instead.

And some people seem to lose control over their emotions sometimes. Like when they cry for no reason or laugh hysterically for no apparent cause.

It’s important to recognize your own emotions because they motivate you. If you don’t know what makes you feel angry or frustrated, you won’t know why you’re reacting this way.

Effective leadership skills

As we have discussed, being a leader is more than just giving orders and motivating people to follow you. Being a leader means knowing when it’s time to motivate someone, know how to use different types of communication effectively, and understand what qualities are needed in order to succeed as part of your team.

Effective leaders also show compassion for others. They recognize that not everyone will agree with every decision made, but they remain friendly and supportive. They do not take any criticism lightly or make changes because of negative comments, instead seeking feedback and acting upon it if necessary.

Finally, effective leaders develop relationships. They build trust by demonstrating honesty and fairness at all times, showing empathy towards those around them, and fostering loyalty through repeated actions.

These are only some examples of ways that effective leaders demonstrate emotional intelligence. There are many other traits that play a big role in leading people, making decisions, and creating strong bonds with others.