Emotional intelligence

 

How successful you are at school or in your profession is not only determined by your IQ test score. Motivation, dedication, self-confidence and social skills also play a role. Academic intelligence should be considered to be a minimum requirement. It helps you get somewhere, for example to become a lawyer. However, to become a successful lawyer, you will also need some specific qualities that are related to emotional intelligence.

Aspects of emotional intelligence

The term 'emotional intelligence' refers to the way you manage emotions, whether they are your own or somebody else's. Daniel Goleman, originator of the emotional intelligence concept, distinguishes five specific aspects:

• Recognizing your own emotions;
• Managing your own emotions;
• Self-motivation;
• Recognizing others' emotions;
• Managing relationships.

The 'social' component of emotional intelligence is sometimes referred to as social intelligence. Once academic intelligence has helped you qualify for a job at a certain level and you have actually landed the job, your emotional intelligence is twice as important as your IQ test score in achieving excellent results.

Read the next article, which is on the EQ test, or take an IQ test.