At its core, emotional intelligence involves four main skills: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. These skills enable individuals to navigate the complex landscape of human emotions, both within themselves and in others.

Self-Awareness

This is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior. It includes understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and having self-confidence.

Self-Regulation

This involves controlling or redirecting disruptive emotions and adapting to changing circumstances. It includes self-control, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, adaptability, and innovation.

Empathy

This is the ability to understand the emotions of others. It is crucial for building relationships, managing teams, customer relations, and in many other social contexts.

Social Skills

EI also involves managing relationships to move people in the desired direction, whether that's leadership, influence, communication, or teamwork.