In simple words, Emotional Intelligence is the ability to effectively manage your emotions, and the emotions of others around you.

Daniel Coleman, an American psychologist, says that Emotional Intelligence is based on five key elements that a person needs to master to raise their levels of emotional intelligence.

Self-awareness:

Self-awareness is the ability to recognise your emotions and act on them accordingly.

It’s about being aware of your different moods, your strengths and weaknesses, behaviours and actions, and how they can affect the people around you.

This also means you should regularly monitor your emotions and effectively control the reactions caused by those very emotions.

Self-aware people are good at recognising each particular emotion for what it is and what it is telling them.

Self-regulation:

Self-regulation is the ability to regulate emotional responses effectively. A person who is better at self-regulation will know how and when to express his emotions.

It is all about expressing your emotions at the right time and place.

These people do not defer to shouting or projecting onto others during conflicts and difficult situations. They are skilled at handling situations calmly and effectively.

Motivation:

Being consistent in what you do, enjoying your work, and pushing yourself to achieve your inner desires and goals are important qualities of an emotionally intelligent person.

They are passionate about whatever they do, are optimistic, and have a burning desire to improve themselves.

Positivity is infectious and conducive to a harmonious working environment.

Being positive, even when faced with difficult situations, will make tasks easier, and you’re more likely to encourage others, boosting their morale.

Empathy:

Empathy is about understanding other people by seeing things from their perspective and recognising their emotions.

To empathise with others is to feel with them, see the world as they see it, and feel what they feel.

Only when you achieve this can you fully understand another person’s meaning.

Being empathic can help you to enhance your relationships as well.

Leaders who are empathic and show compassion towards their employees are likelier to have loyal, motivated, and happy employees.

And these employees will, in turn, reward the company with higher productivity and greater profits.

Social Skills:

Social skills mean interacting with others, building positive connections and effectively managing relationships.

Leaders excelling at social skills are excellent communicators who get things done correctly.

Social Skills involve different things like active listening, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and being able to persuade someone effectively.