What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and use emotions—both your own and those of others—effectively.
It breaks down into five key components (from Daniel Goleman’s model):
- Self-awareness: Recognizing your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts, behavior, and performance.
- Self-regulation: Managing your emotions, impulses, and reactions in healthy ways.
- Motivation: Staying driven to achieve goals for personal reasons (like growth or purpose) instead of for rewards.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others; seeing things from their perspective.
- Social skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships, communicating well, and managing conflict.
In short, emotional intelligence helps people navigate social situations, make better decisions under stress, and lead or work together effectively.
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman
The groundbreaking classic that redefined what it means to be smart. Drawing on neuroscience and psychology, Goleman shows how emotional awareness, empathy, and self-control shape success more powerfully than raw intellect. Inspiring and deeply insightful, this book reveals how emotional intelligence drives better leadership, relationships, and decision-making. A timeless must-read for anyone who wants to understand human behavior — and themselves — more deeply.
Why is Emotional Intelligence Important?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is important because it helps people handle stress, communicate well, make good decisions, and build strong relationships. These skills are essential for success in both personal and professional life.
Here are two examples of how EI can make a big difference:
At work
A manager receives harsh criticism from a client.
- With low EI, they react defensively, blame others, and damage the client relationship.
- With high EI, they stay calm, listen, and use the feedback to improve—strengthening trust and ensuring future business success.
In personal relationships
During an argument, one partner feels angry and hurt.
- With low EI, they lash out or withdraw, making things worse.
- With high EI, they notice their emotions, express them calmly, and listen to the other person—resolving the issue and deepening their bond.
In both cases, emotional intelligence turns potential failure into growth and success through awareness, empathy, and self-control.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Jean Greaves and Travis Bradberry
A practical guide to understanding and improving your emotional intelligence, this book offers clear strategies for recognizing emotions, managing reactions, and building stronger relationships. Its step-by-step approach and real-world tools make it ideal for anyone wanting to communicate better, lead effectively, and handle life’s challenges with calm and confidence. Essential reading for anyone ready to unlock their personal and professional potential through emotional growth.
How Can I Increase My Emotional Intelligence?
You can increase your emotional intelligence through awareness, reflection, and practice. It’s a skill—not a fixed trait—and it gets better over time. Here are some key ways to develop it:
Build Self-Awareness
- Pay attention to your emotions throughout the day—what triggers them and how they affect your behavior.
- Keep a short journal of emotional reactions and their causes.
- Ask trusted people for honest feedback about how you come across.
Practice Self-Management
- When you feel upset or stressed, pause before reacting—take a few deep breaths or step away.
- Focus on responding thoughtfully instead of impulsively.
- Develop habits that support emotional balance, like regular sleep, exercise, and mindfulness.
Improve Social Awareness
- Observe people’s body language, tone, and expressions—they often reveal feelings that words don’t.
- Practice empathy by imagining how others might feel and why.
- Listen more than you talk; try to fully understand before responding.
Strengthen Relationship Management
- Communicate clearly and respectfully, even during disagreements.
- Practice active listening—repeat or summarize what others say to show understanding.
- Learn constructive ways to handle conflict, focusing on solutions instead of blame.
Keep Practicing
- Like any skill, emotional intelligence improves with use.
- Reflect after interactions: “What went well? What could I do differently next time?”
The New Emotional Intelligence by Travis Bradberry
Bradberry updates his acclaimed approach to emotional intelligence with fresh insights and modern examples. This book helps readers navigate today’s fast-changing, high-pressure world through empathy, awareness, and resilience. Easy to follow and backed by research, it shows how to stay centered, connect deeply, and lead with authenticity. A powerful guide for anyone seeking success and well-being in both work and life.
Learn More about Improving Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence: How To Master Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Social Skills for Deeper, More Meaningful Relationships by MindfulMinds Co. A compassionate, easy-to-read roadmap to understanding yourself and others. Through practical exercises and thoughtful reflection, it helps you build emotional balance, empathy, and communication skills that lead to stronger, more fulfilling relationships. Whether you’re improving workplace dynamics or personal connections, it’s a valuable companion for anyone wanting to live with greater understanding, kindness, and authenticity.
Permission to Feel: the Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-being and Success by Marc Brackett. This inspiring book invites readers to embrace their emotions as powerful tools for personal growth. Through engaging stories and research-based guidance, Brackett shows how understanding our feelings can reduce stress, improve relationships, and boost success. Compassionate and empowering, Permission to Feel helps you turn emotional awareness into lifelong strength — transforming how you think, connect, and thrive.
Emotional Intelligence Habits Hardcover by Travis Bradberry. A fresh, action-oriented guide from the bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, this book turns emotional insight into daily habits. Bradberry provides practical steps to improve communication, manage stress, and inspire confidence — all through small, consistent changes. Packed with relatable examples and proven techniques, it’s a motivating read for anyone who wants to make emotional intelligence part of their everyday success.
Who’s Talking: Who’s Talking: A Roadmap to Emotional Intelligence and Self-Mastery by Chris Hinton. Who’s Talking offers a thoughtful, personal exploration of how understanding your inner voice leads to self-mastery and emotional balance. Blending psychology, mindfulness, and storytelling, it teaches readers how to respond — not react — to life’s challenges. Insightful and empowering, this book helps you quiet the noise, connect with your true self, and cultivate the emotional intelligence needed for lasting growth and peace.
Recommended books available from Amazon.