fbpx

The meaning of emotional intelligence

What is Emotional Intelligence?

We define Emotional Intelligence (or EI) as the ability to:

  • Recognize, understand and manage our own emotions and;
  • Recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others.

In practical terms, this means being aware that emotions can drive our behavior and impact people (positively and negatively), and learning how to manage those emotions – both our own and others.

Managing emotions is especially important in situations when we are under pressure. For example, when we are…

  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Meeting tight deadlines
  • Dealing with challenging relationships
  • Not having enough resources
  • Navigating change
  • Working through setbacks and failure

Where Did the Term Emotional Intelligence Come From?

The term emotional intelligence was created by two researchers, Peter Salavoy and John Mayer in their article “Emotional Intelligence” in the journal Imagination, Cognition, and Personality in 1990. It was later popularized by Dan Goleman in his 1995 book Emotional Intelligence.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Important

It’s a scientific fact that emotions precede thought. When emotions run high, they change the way our brains function…diminishing our cognitive abilities, decision-making powers, and even interpersonal skills. Understanding and managing our emotions (and the emotions of others) helps us to be more successful in both our personal and professional lives.

At a personal level, emotional intelligence helps us:

  • Have uncomfortable conversations without hurting feelings
  • Manage our emotions when stressed or feeling overwhelmed
  • Improve relationships with the people we care about

At work, emotional intelligence can help us:

  • Resolve conflicts 
  • Coach and motivate others
  • Create a culture of collaboration
  • Build psychological safety within teams

Exclusive Last 8% Culture Webinar!

Revolutionize Your Culture: Why Companies Aren't Families, and That's Strategic!

Your EQ Could Matter More Than Your IQ, Especially at Work

In his book Working With Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman cites the Harvard Business School research that determined that EQ counts for twice as much as IQ and technical skills combined in determining who will be successful.

In a 2003 Harvard Business Review reported that 80% of competencies that differentiate top performers from others are in the domain of Emotional Intelligence. 

All our years working with leading edge organizations around the world we have learned  that  the smartest people in an organization are not always the most effective. What distinguishes the most productive employees from the average is EI.

Dig deeper into this essential work skill in our 2020 whitepaper “Emotional Intelligence: The Essential Skill of The Future-Proofed Workplaceand discover the 4 steps needed to learn and master emotional intelligence. 

Interested to learn more about how emotional intelligence training can help your organization? Download our whitepaper “The ROI for Emotional Intelligence” or learn more about our training solutions.

Emotional Intelligence is a Skill that can be Learned and Measured

Our level of emotional intelligence can be measured as our emotional quotient (or EQ). IHHP has developed multiple tools to measure EQ at the individual and organizational level.

Want to learn more about your own Emotional Intelligence?

Discover your level of emotional intelligence and get recommendations on how you can manage your emotions and connect more skillfully with others!

How Emotional Intelligence Training Can Help

Unlike our IQ, Having a high level of emotional intelligence (EI), or a high emotional quotient (EQ) is not something set in stone. Luckily, emotional intelligence is a skill we can develop and our EQ can grow throughout our lives.

Unleash Emotional Intelligence to Work Better. Together.

IHHP can help you harness the emotions that stand in the way of building  trust, collaboration, and engagement across your organization. 

IHHP has been at the forefront of teaching the essential skills of Emotional Intelligence through keynotes and classroom training for twenty years. We function as an extension of your team, ensuring that your people build the skills of Emotional Intelligence so everyone can perform at their best even during great challenge and change.

We have developed state of the art virtual learning experiences that allow organizations and individuals to access the same classroom experience from their home or office.

Our programs are based in scientific research and apply the most current knowledge of the Emotional Intelligence field to help learners develop crucial skills through our state-of-the-art learning experiences.

Building EI Skills is Fundamental

to Being the Best Leader Professionally and Personally

IHHP offers emotional intelligence training that helps you:

Build Self-Awareness. Understand the emotions that drive behaviour and the impact that behaviour has on other you people and how they respond to you.have on the people around you.

Neuroscience-Based Change. Drive real behavioral change with a program rooted in neuroscience and research.

Unleash The Best You Have To Offer. Discover why your best self is your best choice.

Great Workplace Culture. Emotions are contagious. Improve relationship quality and build a culture of accountability.

Exceptional Leadership. People leave managers, not jobs. Research shows that eExceptional leaders, the leaders that can truly bring out the best in their people, rank highly in Emotional Intelligence. It is the primary reason that they are exceptional.

Our training programs

IHHP offers training programs that help individuals and teams build the EI skills required to succeed. Our programs are offered virtually and in classroom formats.

Fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence – A 2 hour primer that introduces the core concepts of EI. 

The Science of Emotional Intelligence – A complete introduction to Emotional Intelligence, including the science behind managing emotions, communicating effectively and connecting with others.

Performing Under Pressure – Building on the Science of Emotional Intelligence we explore how high pressure situations change our physiology and how to apply our EI skills in practical situations.

Three Conversations of Leadership – Learn about the three different types of conversations we have in the workplace and the communication tools and strategies to skillfully have difficult conversations.

Learn more about our emotional intelligence training or enroll in one of our virtual open enrollment programs.

Our EI360™ Assessment

Get an indepth understanding of the impact of your EI Skills in your professional and personal life.

IHHP’s EI360™ Assessment is a neuroscience-based online system that invites, collects and analyzes feedback from individuals, including managers, peers, direct reports, key clients, and, even family members and friends. 

This truly unique process gives the opportunity for self-awareness and development across every aspect of work and life outside the office, with a special focus on the impact individuals have on those around them. 

Download the ebook for HR & Talent Professionals

Empowering People with the Skills to Thrive in the New Normal

More Emotional Intelligence Resources

Read the Book

Co-authored by one of IHHP’s founders, J.P. Pawliw-Fry Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When it Matters Most will introduce you to the concept of pressure management, offering the latest science on how your brain responds under pressure, and many empirically tested to help you overcome the sabotaging effects of pressure.

Listen to the Podcast

Last 8% Morning

Join JP in his morning routine which integrates movement, mindfulness and mental training exercises to improve our EI and prepare us for the challenges life puts in our path.

Subscribe to our Email Newsletter

Get updates on new blog posts and research along with announcements of new course launches and special promotions.

Join the Conversation

Connect with IHHP on social media to ask questions, share stories and explore our emotional intelligence teachings.