Dr. Travis Bradberry posted a fascinating article about the 8 habits of Highly Emotionally Intelligent People, which resonates with my beliefs on Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
Bradberry says that EQ is a critical factor that sets star performers apart from the rest of the pack. Research shows that 90% of top performers have high EQs.
EQ affects how we manage behaviour, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions that achieve positive results. EQ is made up of 4 core skills that pair up under 2 primary competencies: personal competence and social competence.
Personal competence comprises of your self-awareness and self-management skills which focus more on you individually than on your interaction with people. It focuses on your ability to stay aware of your emotions and manage your behaviour and tendencies.
Social competence is made up of your social awareness and relationship management skills; social competence is your ability to understand other people’s moods, behaviours, and motives in order to respond effectively and improve the quality of your relationships.
From data from the million-plus people TalentSmart has tested in order to identify the habits that set high EQ people apart, they have found the following:
1. They are relentlessly positive.
2. They have a robust emotional vocabulary.
3. They are assertive.
4. They are curious about other people.
5. They forgive, but don’t forget.
6. They won’t let anyone limit their joy.
7. They are difficult to offend.
8. They quash negative self-talk.
Unlike your IQ, your EQ is highly malleable. As you train your brain by repeatedly practicing new emotionally intelligent behaviours, your brain builds the pathways needed to make them habits. And, as your brain reinforces the use of new behaviours, the connections supporting old, destructive behaviours will die off.
