When it comes to happiness and success in life, EQ is just as important as IQ. Learn how you can improve your emotional intelligence, build stronger relationships and achieve your goals.

Emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional intelligence or EQ) is the ability to understand, use and manage your own emotions in a positive way to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence helps you build stronger relationships, succeed at school and work, and achieve your career and personal goals. It can also help you connect with your feelings, turn intentions into action and make informed decisions about what matters most to you.

Emotonal intelligence is usually defined by four traits:

Self-management

You are able to control impulsive feelings and behaviour, manage your emotions in a healthy way, take initiative, keep commitments and adapt to changing circumstances.

Self-awareness

You recognize your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior. You know your strengths and weaknesses, and have self-confidence.

Social awareness

You have empathy. You can understand the emotions, needs and concerns of others, understand emotional cues, feel comfortable socially and recognize power dynamics in a group or organization.

Relationship management

You know how to develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team and manage conflict.