How To Increase Your Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a far greater predictor of success in life, work, marriage and interpersonal relationships than IQ. Emotional intelligence, EQ consist of four important skills.

The first two skills focus on self – awareness and self – management:
1. Self-Awareness – Your ability to accurately perceive your own emotions and stay aware of them as they happen. This includes keeping on top of how you tend to respond to specific situations and certain people.
2. Self – Management – Your ability to use awareness of your emotions to stay flexible and positively direct and manage your own behavior. This means managing your emotional reaction to all situations and people.

The last set of skills focus more on your interaction with others:
3. Social Awareness – Your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people and get what is really going on. This often means understanding what other people are thinking and feeling, even if you don’t feel the same way.
4. Relationship Management – Your ability to use awareness of your emotions and the emotions of others to manage interactions successfully. Letting emotional awareness guide clear communication and effective handling of conflict.

Motivation to change, commitment to practice new skills and, an interest in feedback are the keys to success in increasing your emotional intelligence.

For and in-depth understanding of the concepts mentioned above, purchase “The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book”, by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves or visit their website at www.TalentSmath.com. If you would like to attend a mini course on emotional intelligence, visit the website of Anderson & Anderson at www.andersonservices.com .

George Anderson, MSW, BCD, LCSW
Diplomate, American Association of Anger Management Providers
--- The Anderson model of anger management includes emotional intelligence.