Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to manage your own feelings and understand the feelings of those around you. Specifically, it is the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively. Some experts suggest that Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is more important than (IQ) for success in life.

Since 1990, Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer have been the leading researchers on (EQ). In their influential article, they defined it as "the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions" (1990). Then in (1995), psychologist and writer Daniel Goleman popularized the concept of (EQ) after publication of his best seller, Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ.

This emphasis on understanding human emotions developed a competitive edge in businesses that opened many doors for our Training and Consulting company starting the early 1990’s at The Open Organization. We facilitated skills training developed by Will Schutz, PhD, an early pioneer of the human potential movement and prolific author. He developed a simplified approach to better understand Human Behavior called the FIRO-B (Behavior) which evolved into the ICO Model (Inclusion, Control, Openness). Blending this awareness and skill with traditional management training greatly improved profitability. We experienced fewer negative comments about emotional ‘touchy feely” training and brought these progressive concepts to improve organization’s profitability and teamwork – an answer to dysfunctional corporate politics.

Characteristics of LOW Emotional Intelligence (EQ) include insensitivity, poor coping skills, emotional outbursts, and self-centeredness. While some people come by positive (EQ) skills naturally, you can also learn these skills. This will result in better behavioral choices for yourself and better behavior management for others. This is the most effective conflict diffuser for those Karens and Kevins out there.