Goleman - Emotional Intelligence

The Traits That Signal High Emotional Intelligence

Synopsis of an article from Inc. by Marcel Schwantes Published 13th June 2020

Daniel Goleman is a Harvard Researcher and defined our understanding of emotional intelligence, he wrote his first best selling book ‘Emotional Intelligence’ in 1995.

This article links to new work by Goleman on key traits found in each of the four EQ domains.

In Goleman’s EQ framework, once you land a job in your field of expertise and start considering things like increasing your role, getting promoted, leading others, and navigating political landscapes, IQ will be begging for EQ to show up and take over.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Traits Related to Self Awareness
The capacity to tune in to your own emotions, understanding of your own strengths and limitations and conscious of the events and situations within your life. When dealing with frustration, you are able to pinpoint the root and cause of your frustration.

Traits Related to Self Management
Emotional self control, remaining calm under pressure and able to recover from upsets quickly. Able to adapt to change and uncertainty, focused on achievement orientation, where you strive to meet or exceed a standard of excellence, alway seeking ways to improve and do things better. People with these traits see the good in people, in situations and events. This is competency is builds resilience, enables and empowers individuals to lead and innovate.

Traits Related to Social Awareness
These traits are related to the accuracy of being able to read and interpret other peoples emotions (often using non verbal cues). Empathy paying specific attention to another person and what they are saying and how they are feeling. Being aware of the dynamics and emotional currents within an organisation, potentially even being able to predict how people or organisations might react.

Traits Related to Relationship Management
An interpersonal skill that enables a person to motivate, inspire and harmonise with others. Often referred to as the natural leader that other seek to follow, gathering support. Strong on teamwork, an active participant, generous with time to coach and mentor others. Comfortable in dealing with disagreements and finding win-win solutions.

Don’t be afraid to go against the grain of conventional norms or take risks, either. These kinds of people ultimately leave the people they work with feeling inspired, motivated and connected.

Daniel Goleman

Daniel Goleman is a psychologist and best-selling author of “Emotional Intelligence” and “Social Intelligence.” His latest book is “What Makes a Leader: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters.” Daniel received his PhD in psychology and personality development from Harvard University. His work has appeared in The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. Follow him on Twitter @DanielGolemanEI.

Inc. Article: https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/high-emotional-intelligence-traits.html
Original CNBC Article: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/06/09/harvard-psychology-researcher-biggest-traits-of-emotional-intelligence-do-you-have-them.html

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