EQ Two

The term Emotional Intelligence was first coined in 1990 by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer, who described it as "the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use the information to guide one's thinking and action"

Since then, many people have espoused the virtues of EQ and it seems to be a focal point in the corporate world, both in hiring as well as leadership development. And considering those two aspects in regard to running a business, EQ certainly could be the topic of a lot of training, teaching people how to read and react to one another and maintain a positive environment.

One of the first and most important elements of EQ is Self Awareness, or knowing how you feel and how your emotions and actions affect the people with whom you interact. And, it also means knowing both your strengths and your weaknesses, benefiting from the former and working on the latter to improve your overall EQ.

Two Easy Ways To Improve Self Awareness

• Write things down by keeping a journal, putting thoughts on paper to help you organise feelings and recognise trends.


• Pause for thought, slowing down and taking the time to understand why you feel the way you do and choosing the way you react.

Another important element of EQ is Self Regulation, staying in control of your emotions by not making emotional and/or rushed decisions, not verbally attacking or stereotyping people, or by compromising their own values.

Three Easy Ways To Improve Self Regulation

• Examine and clarify your code of ethics, establishing what values you believe are important.


• Commit to admitting to your mistakes and being accountable.


• Practise being calm and collected, taking a few seconds and a few breaths before making decisions or reacting to situations.

Improving your Self Awareness and Self Regulation will go a long way in developing your overall Emotional Intelligence, helping with your personal growth and leading toward improved interactions with family, friends and business associates.