What Is Emotional Intelligence
Last updated: March 31, 2026
Quick Answer: Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and use your own emotions and others' emotions effectively. It includes self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. EQ predicts career success more than IQ.
Key Facts
- Daniel Goleman popularized the concept in 1995
- EQ accounts for up to 58% of job performance
- High-EQ people earn $29,000 more annually on average
- Unlike IQ, EQ can be significantly improved at any age
- Five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills
The Five Components
1. Self-Awareness: Recognizing your emotions and how they affect behavior.
2. Self-Regulation: Managing disruptive impulses — pause, process, choose constructive response.
3. Motivation: Intrinsic drive beyond money or status. Optimistic despite setbacks.
4. Empathy: Understanding others' emotions and perspectives.
5. Social Skills: Communication, conflict resolution, leadership, influence.
Why EQ > IQ
TalentSmart found EQ is the strongest predictor of performance, explaining 58% of success across all job types. Among 500+ senior leaders, EQ distinguished stars from average more than IQ or technical expertise.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Emotional Intelligence CC-BY-SA-4.0