What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is a set of emotional and social skills that shape how we perceive and express ourselves, build and maintain relationships, and cope with challenges. Unlike IQ, these skills can be measured, and more importantly, developed.

The EQ-i 2.0, published by MHS, is a self-report assessment that measures five composite areas and fifteen subscales of emotional and social functioning.

1. Self-Perception

• Self-Regard — respecting yourself while understanding and accepting your strengths and weaknesses
• Self-Actualization — the willingness to persistently improve yourself and pursue meaningful goals
• Emotional Self-Awareness — recognizing and understanding your own emotions

2. Self-Expression

• Emotional Expression — openly expressing your feelings, verbally and non-verbally
• Assertiveness — communicating feelings, beliefs, and thoughts openly, in a non-destructive manner
• Independence — being self-directed and free from emotional dependency on others

3. Interpersonal

• Interpersonal Relationships — developing and maintaining mutually satisfying relationships built on trust
• Empathy — recognizing, understanding, and appreciating how other people feel
• Social Responsibility — willingly contributing to your community and the welfare of others

4. Decision Making

• Problem Solving — finding solutions to problems where emotions are involved
• Reality Testing — remaining objective by seeing things as they really are
• Impulse Control — resisting or delaying an impulse to act

5. Stress Management

• Flexibility — adapting emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to unfamiliar or changing circumstances
• Stress Tolerance — coping with difficult situations and believing you can manage them
• Optimism — maintaining a positive outlook and remaining resilient despite setbacks