Are you emotionally intelligent?

Have you ever wondered why some business leaders are considered “star performers” by their firms and clients alike, while others who appear just as knowledgeable and committed do not experience the same level of industry success? In fact, we are not judged solely on how knowledgeable we are or by our expertise — a greater weight is also being placed on how well we handle ourselves and understand others.

As the business world changes, so do the traits needed to excel. In this competitive world, internal qualities such as resiliency, initiative, optimism and adaptability are taking on a new meaning. This ability to demonstrate self-awareness and appropriate social skills in personal and work settings is called emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is defined as the set of skills we use to read, understand, and respond effectively to emotional signals. These skills allow us to understand and adjust our reactions to events and people, and they enable us to influence others. Emotional intelligence means managing feelings so they are expressed effectively, enabling people to work together smoothly toward their common goal.