Daniel Goleman is widely credited with creating the term ‘emotional intelligence.’ His research led him to the conclusion that leaders come in many stripes and sizes, but one constant among effective leaders was this idea of emotional intelligence. According to Goleman, the components of emotional intelligence are: Self-Awareness; Self-Regulation; Motivation; Empathy; and Social Skill.
SELF-AWARENESS
- The ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others
SELF-REGULATION
- The ability to control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods
- The propensity to suspend judgment—to think before acting
MOTIVATION
- A passion to work for reasons that go beyond money or status
- A propensity to pursue goals with energy and persistence
EMPATHY
- The ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people
- Skill in treating people according to their emotional reactions
SOCIAL SKILL
- Proficiency in managing relationships and building networks
- An ability to find common ground and build rapport
(What Makes a Leader, Daniel Goleman, Harvard Business Review, January 2004)
All these skills are incredibly important for our patient care but also for our relationships and our personal happiness. Consider what you can cultivate in your interactions this week.