A POPULAR MODEL OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Everyone has different personalities, unique needs and wishes, and diverse ways of expressing their emotions. Navigating through all of this requires balanced thinking and cleverness- especially if we intend to achieve better health and well-being in our lives. It is here where the model of emotional intelligence comes into play.
The ability to recognize one’s emotions, recognize what they mean, and understand how they affect others is known as emotional intelligence. This also involves one’s perception of the emotions of others: understanding how others feel and the ability to better manage relationships. In addition to improving, one’s personal wellbeing, emotional intelligence also enhances one’s performance at work. Consequently, this article will discuss the concept of emotional intelligence and how it contributes to overall health and well-being.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE MODEL
Daniel Goleman proposed the original model of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence, according to Goleman, is the capacity to perceive emotions accurately, to access and generate emotions to think more clearly, to understand one’s own and others’ emotions and emotional knowledge, and to regulate emotions to promote mental and emotional growth and well-being. According to Daniel Goleman, there are five components that make up the model of emotional intelligence. A person’s efforts to develop emotional intelligence can be impeded if any of these elements are missing.
The components are:
- Self-awareness - The development of emotional intelligence learning models is dependent on the development of this component. Self-awareness can be defined as the ability to be aware of one’s emotions. People with high levels of self-awareness are able to identify and label correctly each particular emotion they are experiencing, which is the core component of emotional intelligence. According to Goleman, people who demonstrate a high level of this attribute of emotional intelligence are receptive to and able to learn from criticism and have a thorough understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
- Self-regulation - Self-regulation refers to the ability to control or redirect disruptive moods or emotions and to express them in a constructive manner. It is the ability to monitor, regulate, or alter one’s own thoughts, emotions, and behavior in response to various situations. Goleman defines emotional maturity in self-regulation as being able to accept full responsibility for one’s actions and be capable of responding appropriately to the irrational emotions and behaviors of others. Those who possess this ability tend to be flexible, adapt well to change, and handle conflict effectively.
- Intrinsic Motivation - Motivation refers to the internal process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behavior. Emotional intelligence is dependent upon intrinsic motivation. It is important to understand intrinsic motivation in terms of emotional intelligence. An individual needs to possess the kind of determination that comes from within and motivates him or her to achieve a goal. A person who is emotionally intelligent is motivated by things other than external rewards, such as money, to pursue their personal goals and happiness. Individuals with competence in this area tend to be action-oriented, set goals, and have an elevated level of commitment to achieving their goals.
- Empathy - Empathy or the ability to share another’s feelings or experiences as if they were ones own is a defining characteristic of emotional intelligence. To be emotionally intelligent, one must be empathetic rather than sympathetic. According to Goleman, individuals with high empathy tend to be self-disciplined, optimist, competitive, initiative, resourceful and determined. Individuals with high empathy levels are competitive, innovative, compassionate, and resourceful.
- Social Skills - The concepts of social skills include the ability to manage and sustain relationships as well as interact with others. In addition, it requires the ability to motivate and inspire others and diffuse stressful situations through cooperation and negotiation. A person with high social skills is effective at leading change, persuasive, active in listening, and has excellent verbal communication skills.
The model of emotional intelligence provides a clear framework of how emotional intelligence can be built and how personal qualities can be enhanced. An individual’s health and wellbeing can be enhanced by these five components, both in life and at work.
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