a. Meaning and characteristics of Emotional Intelligence:

• Emotional intelligence can be described as the ability to grasp and reason correctly with emotional abstractions (emotional concepts) and solve emotional problems.
• Emotional intelligence is conceptualized as a set of abilities pertaining to emotions.
• Emotional intelligence is a form of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions.
• It is the ability to perceive and express emotion, assimilate emotion in thought, understand and reason with emotion, and regulate emotion in the self and others.
• Emotional intelligence also reflects abilities to join intelligence, empathy, and emotions to enhance thought and understanding of interpersonal dynamics.
• Characteristics are:
  1. Self–awareness: Understanding and having firm control over one’s own emotions. They are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Self-regulation: The ability to control one’s emotions. They are comfortable with change and do not act before thinking.
  3. Motivation: The capacity for long-term focus and determination to achieve set goals.
  4. Empathy: The ability to understand the needs, viewpoints, and wants of others, even when these feelings are concealed.
  5. Social skills: The ability to work effectively in teams and give adequate consideration to the interests of others.

b. Uses of Emotional Intelligence:

• Interpersonal relationships: There is a correlation between EI and the development of positive interpersonal relationships, which facilitates and promotes the latter.
• Job performance: Findings show that EI promotes staff motivation and job performance.
• Better working environment: Individuals (from interns to managers) with higher EI are better equipped to work cohesively within teams, deal with change more effectively, and manage stress – enabling them to efficiently pursue business objectives.
• Leadership: EI plays a positive role in leadership effectiveness.
• Physical and mental health: Studies have shown that people with higher emotional intelligence enjoy better physical and mental health.
• Enhancing business success: The ability to understand and manage emotions is crucial to realizing one’s true potential in business, as EI can greatly influence success by contributing to increased morale, motivation, and cooperation.