What is Emotional Intelligence?

Many have heard about "emotional intelligence," yet few understand what it is or what its implications are.

"Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."  - Aristotle

The principles behind emotional intelligence are centuries old, but the concept of "emotional intelligence" as we understand it today has been under close research for the past 25 years at various institutions of higher learning.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) entered the public sphere with the publication of Daniel Goleman's book of the same title in which he reported on the research being done by Peter Salovey and Reuven Bar On, as well as other organizations using the concepts of EI in programs for business, the military and education.

Why Emotional Intelligence matters?

To understand why EI matters, it is important to understand how it functions.

First, EI affects everyone. EI is a fundamental measure of how an individual's emotions interact with rational thought providing guidelines for behavior.

Second, like many aspects of the brain, the operation of EI can be practiced and developed to become more efficient.

When an individual encounters any kind of stimuli, he or she first experiences a response in the limbic region - specifically the amygdala - which triggers the most primitive response - what many call the "flight or fight" response.

Within seconds, the limbic system communicates with the pre-frontal cortex, the reasoning part of the brain.  Once the stimuli is considered, appropriate action is taken.

The truth about EI is that some people have weak communication lines between their amygdala and their pre-frontal cortex.  The good news is that the brain is malleable.  It can be strengthened and shaped and made a more effective tool for evaluating ourselves and our environments.

It may not matter how our behavior patterns developed; it does matter whether or not our patterns are getting us the results we want.  Understanding your level of emotional intelligence - what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are - is the first step to identifying the values and habits that underlie your actions and outcomes.

Contact us today to discover your EQ and to begin retooling your brain for peak performance and true results in every area of your life.