Emotional Intelligence: Know What This Skill Is And How It Can Help You

Do you know those admirable people who give the best advice, who is nice to talk to, who know how to listen and are usually surrounded by friends? They usually have one thing in common: high emotional intelligence.

Your emotional intelligence is working all the time and is one of the key ingredients for success in work, relationships and self-motivation. An emotionally intelligent person has a greater perception of their feelings and others and knows how to deal with them.

On the other hand, people who do not work on their emotional intelligence skills often have relationship difficulties, adaptability to change, coping with unforeseen situations, more difficulty finding effective problem-solving solutions, are more impulsive, intolerant and stressed, he explains. William Ferraz, master coach specializing in Neurolinguistics and Emotional Intelligence at the IDEAH Institute of São Paulo.


Working on emotional intelligence is as important as cognitive intelligence and is what makes us grow as individuals. Stabilizing emotions and, consequently, actions helps in the pursuit of both personal and professional success.

After all, what is emotional intelligence?

Among so many definitions, emotional intelligence can boil down to the ability to perceive, handle and control one's own emotions, as well as knowing how to relate and relate to others' emotions. It is also related to the conformity between thoughts and actions.

Also read: 5 Simple Habits That Can Strongly Strengthen Your Relationship


For many years, an individual's intelligence has been assessed by the value of the IQ (Intelligence Quotient). People with higher IQ were believed to have a greater chance of achieving success in life. However, several studies have shown that this is not entirely true, as some people with below average IQ were successful, while others with high IQ were not successful. Studies of successful people with lower IQ values ​​showed that some emotional characteristics were essential. Thus came a new concept that shows that success is the product of the sum of IQ and EQ ?, explains the expert.

What are the advantages of cultivating this skill?

Master coach William Ferraz points out that an emotionally intelligent person has no difficulty making friends or relating to others in a harmonious and productive way. She persists when facing a new challenge, not giving up on the first difficulties. He can overcome his feelings of frustration when something goes wrong and seeks to learn from negative experiences. Can you express your opinions clearly and feel safe in front of others?

Therefore, emotional intelligence is basically composed of the following skills:


Self knowledge: Having a realistic view of oneself, with adequate awareness of one's potentials and limitations, helps in social inclusion and self-acceptance.

Personal relationships: By having a greater social sensitivity, an emotionally intelligent person does not usually lose patience with the people he likes. If lost, soon recovers and repents. Thus, affective bonds tend to be more sincere and trustworthy.

Read also: How meditation can help your career

Self control: Understanding and knowing how to control your emotions while remaining calm during difficult times is an essential point for your attitudes to be in accordance with your intentions.

Stability: to be able to express their emotions to people and situations correctly and at the right time.

Self motivation: ability to focus feelings on achieving a personal goal without letting frustrations deflect motivation.

In general, a person with keen emotional intelligence leads a more conscious and dynamic life. This is because your perception of facts and events is insightful and generous as it seeks to learn. This learning brings several advantages to the practical and affective life.

How to exercise and improve your emotional intelligence

Fortunately this is a skill that can be acquired and always improved. It is possible to increase the level of emotional intelligence by cultivating simple habits and attitudes, but which must come from constant and sincere work.

Also read: 10 Things You Should Never Do? For Love?

Talk about your feelings: Try to share your feelings and ideas more with friends, confidants, the psychologist, and the mirror. Talking about emotions with trusted people brings new perceptions to light. Do not hide your feelings or try to pretend you do not feel them.

Learn from mistakes: The best thing about a mistake or frustration is the lesson they bring. It's that old story, you can't expect different results if we always do everything the same. Try to learn from all experiences, even if they are negative, avoiding repeating situations that promote frustration.

Listen more: listen more and talk less. Learn to like even particularities that other people present and criticize. Avoid classifying previously what you think the other will say. Listening has an incredible effect of mutual empathy.

Make a self-analysis: talk to yourself more and strive to be honest in this conversation. And be sure to listen to what others have to say sincerely about you.

More empathy, please: One of the first steps to emotional intelligence is to understand that people are different. Therefore, understanding people and their feelings will make you better understand their place. Train your feelings of empathy and learn to observe other people's faults more respectfully.

Read also: Abusive Relationship: How to Safely Identify and Get Rid of It

Now that you have a better understanding of what emotional intelligence is and why it is so important, how do you think it is in this regard? It is always a good time to learn and renew yourself. And you only have to win!

6 Steps to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence | Ramona Hacker | TEDxTUM (April 2024)


  • Relationships
  • 1,230