Emotional Intelligence Joshua Willard UMUC Europe HRMN 302 What is Below the Surface…

Main Points What is Emotional Intelligence? How can it be used in the workplace? How to improve Emotional Intelligence? How does it compare with IQ?

Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence(EI) is the understanding of one’s own and others emotions. This includes being able to perceive, control and evaluate said emotions.(Cherry) In the early 1990’s Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer have been leading the discoveries of EI. EI is broken down into four separate branches Perceiving Reasoning Understanding Managing

Perceiving The first step in comprehending emotions is to recognize and distinguish them through non-verbal communication. Facial expressions and Body Language are the top two noticeable signs on one’s emotions. We as humans are hard-wired to detect other’s emotions to a degree. As we are clued into an individual’s emotions we are then able to develop a plan to reason with them.

Reasoning When reasoning with emotions you are using them to promote positive outcomes towards goals. To reason with emotions, you are capitalizing on current moods. It is a way to facilitate thought using emotions(Mayer).

Understanding Expressed emotions portray information about you. Their emotions foreshadow their possible actions. Interpreting emotions can be beneficial in reaching desired outcomes.

Managing Managing emotions is a mixture of the previous branches. Regulating one’s own and other’s emotions can be used to reach desired outcomes or social goals. According to Salovey and Mayer, The branches are in ascending order of intelligence.

EI at the Workplace Empathy makes leaders in the workplace. EI provides information about a person, and gives direction on how to confront them. Helps in achieving your goals in understanding how people think.

Improving EI In order to improve EI, there are five basic steps that need to be taken(Segal & Smith) Quickly reduce stress Emotional awareness Nonverbal communication Utilizing humor and play Resolve conflict positively

Compared with IQ Successful interaction between people is not based solely on IQ test(Walsh-Portillo). IQ gives students an advantage in college, it does not help in social interaction. The ability to comprehend emotions and understand individuals is considered a greater skill.

Pyramid of EI

Summary Emotional Intelligence is understanding the emotions of other’s and own. The different branches of EI. EI benefits the workplace. EI can be improved. Although underrated by IQ, EI is arguably more important.

References Cherry, K.(2013).  What is Emotional Intelligence?  Definitions, History, and Measures of Emotional Intelligence.  Retrieved From:  http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/a/emotionalintell.htm Karnaze, M.  (2009, March 31).  Salovey and Mayer on Emotional Intelligence (1990).  [Blog].  Retrieved From:  http://mindfulconstruct.com/2009/03/31/salovey-mayer-on-emotional-intelligence-1990/ Segal, J., & Smith, M. (2013).  Emotional Intelligence (EQ).  Retrieved From: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq5_raising_emotional_intelligence.htm Mayer, J. D.,  (n.d.).  The Four Branch Model of Emotional Intelligence.  Retrieved From: http://www.unh.edu/emotional_intelligence/index.html Walsh-Portillo, J. G.,  U.S. (2011).  Emotional Intelligence and College Students.  FIU Electronic Thesis and Dissertations, 1(1), 19-23.  Retrieved From: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1598&context=etd