Have you ever wondered what the secret to having great relationships is? Have you tried to figure out how to connect with people without feeling awkward or burdensome? Well, research says emotional intelligence or high emotional quotient (EQ), can lead to happy, long-lasting relationships with the people around you.
Humans are inherently social beings who thrive on interpersonal connections and interactions. Given our innate need for social engagement, we must deliberate and intentionally cultivate meaningful relationships with those around us. However, developing these valuable connections requires specific skills and proficiency in understanding and relating to others. This can only be achieved through the development of high emotional intelligence.
What is emotional quotient (EQ), and why is it important?
Emotional quotient (EQ) is defined as the ability to recognise, understand, and deal skillfully with one’s emotions and those of others. It is also a measurement of a person’s emotional intelligence. Like intelligence quotient (IQ), EQ can be high or low.
Having a high EQ means you can understand and properly express your emotions and understand and empathise with your partner or friends’ emotions. However, you may have low EQ if you struggle with processing emotions, whether yours or someone else’s, but this can be remedied.
There are five factors that determine EQ, and they are:
- Empathy
- Self-awareness
- Social awareness
- Emotional control
- Emotional wellbeing
How can emotional intelligence impact relationships?
A high EQ is vital to maintaining and progressing in all relationships, whether at work, home, school, or even romantic connections. By understanding and managing your emotions effectively, you automatically present yourself as more stable, approachable and accommodating to people around you.
Here are some examples where emotional intelligence is typically demonstrated:
Work Relationships
Emotional intelligence helps you manage your emotions during conflicts, leading to more constructive and respectful communication with coworkers and supervisors. This fosters a positive work environment and improves collaboration.
By being aware of your emotions and those of others, you can tailor your communication style to better connect with colleagues and build stronger professional relationships
Social Interactions
Emotional intelligence helps you navigate social situations, build stronger friendships, and develop more effective communication skills with peers and teachers.
Academic Performance
By managing your emotions effectively, you can better cope with academic stress and maintain a positive attitude, leading to improved academic performance.
Emotional Intimacy
Emotional intelligence fosters emotional intimacy by helping you understand and manage your emotions, creating a deeper and more meaningful connection with your partner.
Conflict Resolution in Romance
Emotional intelligence enables you to navigate conflicts in a romantic relationship by understanding and managing your emotions, leading to more constructive and respectful communication.
People with low EQ tend to struggle with understanding their own emotions and those of others, understanding social cues, and engaging in social interactions. Therefore, building and maintaining relationships can be difficult for people with low EQ, and they would have to work hard to maintain relationships with others.
On the flip side, people with high EQ thrive in social situations and tend to easily create and maintain relationships with people. However, people with high EQ may also struggle with maintaining relationships because they are hyper-vigilant of people’s emotions. For example, people who are excessively self-aware may become self-critical and can develop anxiety disorders, according to research.
This contradiction highlights the importance of balance in emotional intelligence (EQ). When developing your EQ, look for areas you need to improve and areas you need to take a step back from. To find out what these are, take an EQ test here.
Read this to learn how to build strong female bonds.
How do you know if you have a high EQ?
You are empathetic
You are able to understand and share the feelings of others, and you often find yourself being compassionate and supportive towards others in need.
You are self-aware
You understand your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values well and can recognise how your emotions influence your thoughts and behaviours.
You easily emotionally regulate
You are able to regulate your emotions well, stay calm under pressure and effectively manage stress. You don’t let your emotions overwhelm you or negatively impact your decision-making.
You communicate effectively
You are skilled at expressing your thoughts and feelings clearly and assertively while also being a good listener. You can communicate openly and honestly with others, and you can resolve conflicts peacefully.
You adapt easily
You are flexible and open-minded, able to adapt to changing situations and perspectives. You are resilient in facing challenges and setbacks and can bounce back from difficult situations.
You are socially aware
You are attuned to the emotions and needs of others, and you are able to pick up on social cues and nonverbal communication. You have good interpersonal skills and can navigate social situations with ease.
You resolve conflict easily
You are skilled at resolving conflicts and disagreements constructively, finding solutions that satisfy all parties involved. You can negotiate and compromise effectively to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.
Ready to unlock deeper connections? Developing your emotional intelligence (EQ) is key to building strong, lasting relationships. Take the first step by understanding your EQ and exploring resources to boost your skills! Take an EQ test to discover what you need to work on today! Good luck!
