Welcome to Module #2 of the coaching program on Emotional Smarts. 

In this module you will define emotional intelligence and learn three healthy ways to deal with emotions.

What is Emotional Intelligence?”

Typically when we think of the word ‘intelligence’ we equate it to someone’s mental abilities – how they use logic or reason.  In other words, we don’t typically think about emotions in an ‘intelligent’ way.  That’s where the concept of emotional intelligence comes in. 

Half a century ago, we predominantly focused on rational thought and downplayed emotions. We tended to view emotions as:

• Weak
• Chaotic
• Haphazard
• Superfluous
• Incompatible with reason
• Disorganized
• Largely visceral
• Resulting from the lack of effective adjustment

But now, our view of emotions is changing.  Researchers today are beginning to view emotions as an important part of our overall wellbeing and fulfillment.

We now realize that emotions:

• Arouse, sustain, and affect our activity.
• Are not in opposition to intelligence.
• Are themselves a higher order of intelligence.

With this new perspective, emotions play a much greater role in our ability to function successfully in life. Therefore to be successful in life and in dealing with others, we need to be able to do three things with our emotions:

1. Handle frustrations – our own as well as others’.
2. Manage our own emotions, and be understanding of others’ emotions.
3. Manage our social skills so that we can more effectively live and work with others.

So with this in mind, how should we define the concept of Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence can be defined as

 The ability to understand your own emotional state and the emotional states of those around you.

 It’s the ability to use our feelings to guide our thoughts and actions in appropriate ways.  And it’s the ability to monitor our own, as well as others' feelings and emotions.

Emotional intelligence then is all about self-awareness and managing feelings, so they are expressed appropriately.  It is not about suppressing emotions, but being more aware of them.  It is being aware of other’s feelings and demonstrating empathy towards them.

 In summary, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand the emotions of ourselves and others.  It enables us to deal effectively  with people and problems in ways that reduce anger and hostility, develop collaborative effort, enhance life-balance, and produce creative energy

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Describe your View of Emotions then & now

How do you think it has changed?

With your emotions, you are striving to be able to:

Define what you think Emotional Intelligence is:

Questions

Proceed to Module #3 

The Way the Brain Functions