Subscription 
Developing Emotional Intelligence (EQ)- 4-Jan-2014
Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions. Some researchers suggest that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened, while others claim it is an inborn characteristic.
In current trend, emotional intelligence (EQ) is equally important like ones intelligence (IQ) in attaining success in their lives and careers.
As more and more people accept that emotional intelligence is just as important to professional success as technical ability, organizations are increasingly using EI when they hire and promote.
For example, one large company recently revised their hiring process for salespeople to choose candidates based on emotional intelligence. The result was that newly hired sales persons with the new system sold, on average, more than salespeople selected under the old system.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
Everyone posses different personalities, with different wants and needs, and different ways of showing our emotions. Navigating through this all takes tact and cleverness especially if we hope to succeed in life. This is where emotional intelligence becomes important.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize your emotions, understand what they're telling you, and realize how your emotions affect people around you. Emotional intelligence also involves your perception of others: when you understand how they feel, this allows you to manage relationships more effectively.
People with high emotional intelligence are generally successful in most things they do. Reason is that they're the ones that others want on their team. People with high EI send an email, it gets answered much quickly and positively. When they need help, they get it. Because they make others feel good, they go through life much more easily than people who are easily angered or upset.
How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence?
The greatest is that emotional intelligence can be taught and developed. Lots of materials are available to help you determine your current EI, and identify where you may need to do some work.
Here are few tips:
Observe how you react to people: Never rush to judgment before you know all of the facts. Do not respond in a stereotype manner (preconceived).
Closely watch over what you think and interact with other people. Try to put yourself in their place, and be more open and accepting of their perspectives and needs.
Look at your work environment: Do not seek attention for your accomplishments. Humility can be a wonderful quality, and it doesn't mean that you're shy or lack self-confidence. When you practice humility, you say that you know what you did, and you can be quietly confident about it. Give others a chance to shine put the focus on them, and don't worry too much about getting praise for yourself.
Do a self-evaluation: Make a self-evaluation on your weaknesses. Always be willing to accept that you're not perfect and that you could work on some areas to make yourself a better person. Have the courage to look at yourself honestly it will change your life.
Reaction to stressful situations: Is not of person strong EI to get upset every time there's a delay or something doesn't happen the way you want. Stop blaming others or become angry at them, even when it's not their fault. Stay calm and in control in difficult situations is highly valued. Keep your emotions under control when things go wrong.
Take responsibility for your actions: If you hurt someone's feelings, apologize directly don't ignore what you did or avoid the person. People are usually more willing to forgive and forget if you make an honest attempt to make things right.
Examine your actions and its reflection: If your decision will impact others, put yourself in their place. Empathize on their feeling. In case, you must take the action, find out possible means to help others deal with the effects.
Look into others background: Today, who you are, is the sum total of your family, education, acquaintance, work experience and other factors that had come your way. But, it is never the same for the person whom you are interacting. So, always take care of the background of others.
