7 Qualities of People With High Emotional Intelligence

7 Qualities of People With High Emotional Intelligence If your emotional abilities arent in hand, if you dont have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you cant have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.Thats what Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., well-known writer and researcher on leadership who wrote the bestsellerEmotional Intelligence Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, says. Goleman has dedicated his work to finding outwhat makes people successful. And, his title spoiling the surprise, he says it comes down to their emotional intelligence.Thatswhat drives a person to excellence.What exactlyisemotional intelligence (EI)?Psychology Todaysays itsThe ability to accurately identify your own emotions, as well as those of others.The ability to utilize emotions and apply them to tasks, like thinking and problem-solving.The ability to manage emotions, includ ing controlling your own, as well as the ability to cheer up orcalm downanother person.The concept of emotional intelligence has been around since 1990, when Yale psychologists John D. Mayer and Peter Salovey presented the concept to the academic world. But Goleman has gone on to study it further, and he founda direct relationship between the EI of a companys staff and the companyssuccess- Employees with high levels of EI have self-awareness that helps them understand coworkers and meet deadlines.- When people have high EI, they are not bothered by clientcriticism they remain focused on outcomes, rather than feeling offended.- If two job candidates have similarIQs, the one with the higher EI will likely be a better fit for the company.AsGoleman said, no amount of smarts will make up for a lack of the ever-important emotional and social abilities, especially inthe professional world. Not aya how to recognize EI? Here are seven characteristics of emotionally intelligent people1. Theyr e Change AgentsPeople with high EI arent afraid ofchange. They understand that its a necessary part of life and they adapt.2. Theyre Self-AwareThey know what theyre good at and what they still have to learn. Weaknesses dont hold them back. They know what environments are optimal for their work styles.3. Theyre EmpatheticThe hallmark of EI,being able to relate to others, makes people with high EI essential in the workplace. With an innate ability to understand what coworkers or clients are going through, they can get through difficult times drama free.4. Theyre Not PerfectionistsWhile extremely motivated, people with EI know thatperfection is impossible. They roll with the punches and learn from mistakes.5. Theyre BalancedTheir self-awareness means that they naturally know the importance of and how to maintain a healthy professional-personalbalance in their lives. They eat well, get plenty of sleep, and have interests outside work.6. Theyre CuriousAn inborn sense of wonder andcurios itymakes them delightful to be around. They dot judge they explore the possibilities. They ask questions and are open to new solutions.7. Theyre GraciousPeople with high EI know every day brings something tobe thankfulfor. They dont see the world as a glass half-empty kind of place, as a lot of people do. They feelgoodabout their lives and dont let critics or toxic people affect that.Emotionally intelligent people know how to make work, and the world, a better place. Are you one of them?A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Rhett Power cofoundedwildfleisch Creations in 2007 and quickly built the company into the fastest-growing business in South Carolina. He and his team have won more than 40 national awards for their innovative kids toys. Rhett believes his Peace Corps experience taught him everything he needed to succeed in business. He is the coauthor of One Million Frogs. Find Rhett on Facebook and Twitter.