Emotional intelligence: Can give you an edge

Pages: 83-85
Harpreet Kaur (Department of Physical Education, University of Delhi, Delhi)
Lalit Sharma (IGIPESS, University of Delhi, Delhi)

The meaning of Emotional Intelligence continues to develop over the years. In 1997, Salovey and Mayer refined their definition as: “the ability to process emotional information, more specifically an ability to recognize the meanings of emotions and their relationships, as well as being able to reason and problem-solve on the basis of them. Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability, capacity, skill; or, in the case of the trait EI model, a self-perceived ability to identify, assess, and controls the emotions of oneself, of others and of group. Substantial disagreement exists regarding the definition of EI, with respect to both terminology and operationalizations. The definitions are so varied, and the field is growing so rapidly, that researchers are constantly re-evaluating even their own definitions of the construct. Currently, there are three main models of EI, i.e. Ability EI model, mixed models of EI (usually subsumed under trait EI) and Trait EI model. The Components of Emotional Intelligence described by various psychologists are Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy and Social Skill. Emotional intelligence is made up of layers of emotional memory held within our mind and body. Our body and unconscious mind hold most of our ‘intelligence’. The unconscious mind is an enormous storage place for learnt information about us and the world. We are conscious of some emotions and thoughts however there is a great deal of how we feel that is unconscious. That is why we often feel overwhelmed and do not know why and that is also why emotional intelligence is not as straight forward as it may seem. An important and perhaps unrecognized aspect of emotional intelligence is exactly this. Low emotional intelligence is the answer why! You may have even experienced frustrating low emotional intelligence within yourself. Have you wondered why even though you know the way you are reacting to your partner is sabotaging your relationship you continue to do it? Or have you experienced being at the end of your wits when you know you want to loose weight but you continue to eat the wrong foods or resist exercise? Again, it is low emotional intelligence that manifests from unconscious patterns that are at the base of these problems. Remember low emotional intelligence does not mean that you’re not smart Low emotional intelligence simply means that the unconscious patterns learnt from childhood are sabotaging your freedom to choose thoughts, feelings and actions that increase your personal peace and happiness. Hence the importance or EI ca not be denied which includes, Knowing our own emotions, Managing your own emotions, Motivating ourselves, Recognizing and influencing others’ emotions, Handling relationship, Emotional self-control, Motivation, Understanding others, Influencing, Communication, Leadership, Building bonds, Collaboration and cooperation, Team capabilities, Accurate self-assessment, Self-confidence, Achievement drive and Commitment. Hence it can be concluded that emotional intelligence will help to achieve the optimum utilization of the competencies and abilities to achieve success in every sphere of life.