By Robin Hills (United Kingdom)
Emotional Intelligence is a relatively recent behavioural model that rose to prominence with Daniel Goleman’s 1995 book Emotional Intelligence – Why it can matter more than IQ. Life coaching with a focus around emotional intelligence is becoming increasingly relevant, because its principles provide a new way to understand and assess people’s behaviours, management styles, attitudes, interpersonal skills, and potential.
Goleman identified the five key elements of emotional intelligence as:
- Self awareness – Knowing yourself and your emotions.
- Self regulation – Managing your own emotions.
- Motivation – Motivating yourself.
- Empathy – Recognising and understanding other people’s emotions.
- Social skills – Managing relationships through managing the emotions of others and their impact.
How people use their emotional intelligence contributes to the manner in which they conduct themselves, their interactions with other people and how they handle potentially stressful situations.
Source: iCN Issue 3 (Life Coaching); pages 33-36
About Robin Hills
Robin Hills is Director of Ei4Change – an organisation specialising in emotional intelligence training, personal development and coaching. He has over 30 years’ experience in sales, marketing and business psychology.
