What Is Emotional Intelligence?

emotional intelligence (EI) The ability to recognize, understand, use, and manage moods, feelings, and attitudes.

Emotional intelligence, or EI, is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions. Emotions are a big part of who you are; you should not ignore them. The better the emotional read you have on a situation, the more appropriately you can respond to it. Being aware of your own and others’ feelings helps you to gather accurate information about the world around you and allows you to respond in appropriate ways.

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There are many competing theories about EI, some of them very complex. Although experts vary in their definitions and models, all agree that emotions are real, can be changed for the better, and have a profound effect on whether a person is successful.

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Anger Management Since the 1960s, college students have used their anger about political, social, and campus-specific issues (like tuition increases) in positive ways through organized demonstrations. Such demonstrations have influenced major actions in U.S. history, such as the decision of a president to resign and the end of the Vietnam War. What issues would “bring students to the barricades” today?

YOUR TURN

Discuss

Make a list (first names only) of people you know who are “book smart” but don’t have good people skills. What kinds of challenges do these people face? Come to class prepared to share your thoughts.

In the simplest terms, EI is “a person’s innate ability to perceive and manage his/her own emotions in a manner that results in successful interactions with the environment and, if others are present, to also perceive and manage their emotions in a manner that results in successful interpersonal interactions. In other words, Emotional Intelligence is about recognizing and managing one’s own emotions and the emotions of others.”1