Question

Our readings this week informs us that our emotional intelligence begins its development during the period of attachment as an infant and that “Physical and emotional expression is what draws people to us or makes them avoid us . . .” (Segal, 2008, p. 25). Even though emotional intelligence begins to develop in infancy, it continues to develop well into adulthood.  This week’s reading assignment suggests that we are able to improve our emotional awareness and emotional intelligence in order to improve our ability to communicate and build relationships with others.

• What are some ways in which emotional intelligence is involved in effective communication?  Why is it important?
• What might make improving our emotional intelligence difficult?
• What recommendations would you give a co-worker who wants to improve their emotional intelligence?

Answer 1

Role of Emotional Intelligence in effective communication

• Emotional social awareness is an important component of EI. If people are able to understand others' emotions, it allows them to clear misunderstandings and be effective communicators.
• Emotional intelligence allows us to better understand what others are communicating to us.
• It allows us to also comprehend what is not being said from understanding others' tone and non verbal cues.
• EI allows us to empathise with others which is a very important skill in counselling.

Importance of EI:

• It improves interpersonal relationships by allowing effective communication and conflict management
• It allows individuals to regulate their feelings and thus deal with negative life circumstances.
• It is an essential skill for effective leadership. Transformational leadership requires one to be emotionally intelligent.
• It enhances academic and job Performance.
• Emotional Intelligence has also been linked with increased creativity.

Improving EI requires us to have an in depth knowledge of oneself, of others and how to regulate emotions in self an others. It is not a single competency but a multitude of competencies. The model of EI proposed by Goleman has 20 competencies. Thus, improving EI can be challenging because it requires mastery in not just one but several domains.

Tips to enhance Emotional Intelligence

• Increase your self awareness by increasing emotional vocabulary, observing your own thoughts, keeping an emotional journal and introspection.
• To increase self regulations, techniques like meditation, biofeedback, time management are important.
• Social awareness can be increased by an effort to develop empathy, being non judgemental and creating an environment of trust that allows others to share their true feelings.