Understanding EQ and the Self

Key Points:

• Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and respond to emotions — your own and others';
• Psychologist Daniel Goleman defines EQ in five key areas: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills;
• Self-awareness means recognizing what you're feeling, when, and why;
• Developing self-awareness allows you to pause, reflect, and adjust your behavior more effectively;
• Emotions impact communication, decision-making, leadership, and conflict — noticing them is the first step to managing them.