Emotional Intelligence as our Meta-level Ability to Handle Emotions - Report Example

Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence Introduction Everyone encounters and relates to feelings as well as emotions. Emotions enclose valuable data about relationships, behavior, and practically every aspect of the human world around us. Until very recently, the concept of emotional intelligence has been ignored due to the rise of scientific management and the myth that emotions of any kind are disruptive in the workplace. However, the most recent empirical research shows that emotions can be constructive and do contribute to enhanced performance and better decision making both at work and in private life. As more and more people realize and accept that emotional intelligence is just as imperative to scholars success as technological skills, organizations are increasingly employing Emotional Intelligence testing when they hire, evaluate, and promote personnel. Using EI as a comprehensive indicator of intelligence proves to have positive effect on organizations success and future prosperity. What is Emotional Intelligence? Intelligence is a rather tricky and multifaceted concept. Unlike abstract intelligence, which refers to the ability to understand and manipulate symbols, or concrete intelligence, which is measured with IQ tests, emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand and relate to people. Researchers have been defining EI differently depending on the field of their study and the depth of their research. EI is generally defined as an individual‘s ability to accurately perceive reality so that to understand and regulate their own emotional responses as well as adapt and respond to others. Later, Mayer and Salovey defined EI more specifically as the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth (Mersino, 2010). The most recent definition that attempts to cover the whole construct of Emotional Intelligence describes it as the ability, capacity, skill, or potential to feel, use, communicate, recognize, remember, describe, identify, learn from, manage, understand and explain emotions. Based on the definitions mentioned above, Emotional Intelligence can be understood as a person‘s ability to be self-aware (to recognize his/her own emotions when experiencing them), detect emotions in others and manage emotional cues and information Emotional Intelligence It’s what makes us respond to a crying baby, a furrowed brow or a smiling face. It’s also what brings us together, lifts us upward and inspires us onward. Defined by psychologists in the early ‘90s, Emotional Intelligence is the aptitude to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions. “Know yourself,” said Plutarch, writing in ancient Greece. Now extend that to others (Greaves, 2009). Emotional Intelligence vs. Intelligence Quotient Emotion, according to the experts, is an unconscious state, distinct from cognition (thinking), volition (will) or motivation. Intelligence, on the other hand, is “a set of cognitive abilities which allows us to acquire knowledge, to learn and to solve problems.” Given this, IQ and Emotional Intelligence seem like contradictions in terms, an oxymoron. Emotional Intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence. Rather it is a unique intersection of the two that can enable you to use your emotions to help you solve problems and live a more effective life both at home and at work (Goleman, 2013). Four Fundamentals Emotional Intelligence consists of four fundamental capabilities: self-awareness (the ability to identify your own emotions and their impact), self-management (the ability to control your emotions and behavior), social awareness (the ability to recognize and understand the emotions of others and react appropriately), and relationship management (the ability to influence and connect with others). Emotional Intelligence can be a powerful key to effective leadership. Used and developed wisely, it can help you build consensus, promote collaboration, manage conflict, generate buy-in, and, in general, enhance your overall effectiveness in dealing with the changing dynamics you face today (Bradberry, 2012). Intelligence Reframed Emotional Intelligence is formed in infancy, but unlike IQ it can be honed and developed with practice. Some seem to possess it in high degree: those in sales, human resources, health care and customer service, for instance. Emotional Intelligence people tend to be socially poised, outgoing, cheerful, committed to people or causes, responsible, ethical, sympathetic, caring in relationships, and comfortable with themselves and others all positive attributes for the Value Analysis Professional. Engaging your EI is not always easy. The stress of work, deadlines, dealing with difficult people or fluctuating situations can make us want to shut down and “just get on with it,” often with less than beneficial results. Case in point: look at malpractice suits. According to a study, surgeons who took just three minutes longer with their patients, who made orienting comments, used encouraging language, and sounded empathetic and concerned were less likely to be sued than those who did not (Bradberry, 2012). According to some experts, people can be categorized by their patterns of difficult behavior: hostile as well as aggressive with a definite idea of how others should act, complainers who only gripe, unresponsive who clam up, super agreeable who give only lip service to support, negativists who know it all and that it won’t work, and indecisive who can never make a choice, holding out hope for the perfect solution to present itself. You can use this knowledge along with your Emotional Intelligence questions to help you as you work with clinicians, physicians, vendors, or management. Recommendations Even though there is still little empirical evidence that states to what extent EI is addressed in undergraduate education, the resemblance between EI factors and university educational aspects proves to be useful in predicting how EI can be applied in the academic sphere. The IUB Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct states: As a community, we share a dedication to maintaining an environment that supports trust, respect, honesty, civility, free inquiry, creativity, and an open exchange of ideas. This code sets the overall atmosphere on campus and creates a safe environment for students to develop emotional literacy, self awareness, empathy, and relationship management. This aspect of undergraduate education has proven not to be so easily influenced as are general education course material and extracurricular activities offered on campus. However, in time, when EI competencies are well imbedded into the academic and out of class activities, the overall environment can also be positively affected (Hughes, 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, Emotional intelligence is an attentiveness of your actions as well as feelings and how they influence those around you. It also means that you value others, listen to their wants and needs, and are able to empathize or identify with them on many different levels. Emotions and moods have proven themselves to be relevant for every job or affair. Increasingly, organizations are selecting employees they believe have high levels of Emotional Intelligence. The basic premise is that you cannot divorce emotions from the workplace because you can‘t divorce emotions from people. Although traditional understanding of intelligence is important to success in life, emotional intelligence is key to relating well to others and achieving goals, because the human world is all about relationships. Teaching undergraduate students of how to identify, express, and manage their emotions will go a long way in their future careers and will make them more empathetic and fulfilled individuals. Introducing key Emotional Intelligence concepts into colleges and universities can help recruit and retain students as well as accomplish the universities mission of the advancement of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the promotion of the general well-being of society. However, this articulation indicates that the ability to measure Emotional Intelligence is null and that the aspect of temperament is clearly controlled by the nature, hence its existence cannot be traced at all. References Bradberry, T. (2012). Emotional Intelligence 2.0: A BookCaps Study Guide [Paperback]. Canada: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Greaves, J. (2009). Emotional Intelligence 2.0 [Hardcover]. Washington DC: TalentSmart. Goleman, D. (2013). Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ [Hardcover]. California: Bantam Press. Hughes, M. (2012).Emotional Intelligence in Action: Training and Coaching Activities for Leaders, Managers, and Teams [Paperback]. Pfeiffer. Mersino, A. (2010). Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers: The People Skills You Need to Achieve Outstanding Results [Paperback]. New York NY: Routledge Press. Read More