Words can destroy. What we call each other ultimately becomes what we think of each other, and
it matters.
Jean Kirkpatrick
In today's world, the ability to understand emotions is essential. If you experience problems managing
your relationships -- at work and/or personally -- assessing your emotional intelligence and working to improve it can be
very helpful.
Emotional intelligence includes the skills associated with understanding your own emotions
(emotional self awareness, accurate self assessment, self confidence, self control, being ethical and acting on values, adaptability,
achievement, initiative, and optimism) and understanding the emotions of others and how emotion influences
them (empathy, organizational awareness, service orientation, developing others, inspiring others, being a change
catalyst, using influence, managing conflict, and developing teams). Many believe that emotional intelligence plays
a key role in leadership and personal success.
The process of discovering your potential for emotional intelligence is easy. First, you will be assessed
by others (peers, superior, subordinates, etc.). You will also complete a self-assessment that from which you can compare
how you rank yourself to how others rank you. Second, you get feedback on your results. Finally, you develop a
personal growth plan in which you create growth opportunities for yourself. Before long, relationships at work and at
home improve!
Ann Lowry is accredited to administer the Emotional Competence Inventory, a 360 degree assessment developed
in association with Daniel Goleman, reknown author of Emotional Intelligence and Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with
Emotional Intelligence.
