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re-think emotional intelligence
THINK
behavioural intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
At Work
Most people misunderstand it however it accounts for 58% of performance in all job types
Judgement and appropriate action?
Ask people what their understanding of what emotional intelligence is and 90% of the time people will struggle to explain it. Most will say it means empathy, which represents one part of one fifth of what it is.
The word emotional can be subject to misinterpretation, often associated with being upset, or angry however it's our emotions that drive our behaviour, and our behaviour drives performance, fundamental to our successes and failures, at home and at work.
Let’s start by being clear about what emotional intelligence is.
Emotional intelligence refers to the capacity to understand and regulate your own emotions, while also recognizing, interpreting, and influencing the emotions of others. It’s about how you manage yourself and how you handle relationships.
If you had to capture it in one word, you might choose “judgement” - the ability to make considered decisions and reach balanced conclusions. But judgement without action is incomplete.
Applying emotional intelligence means knowing when and how to act. Sometimes the wisest response is no action at all — to pause, reflect, or delay. That restraint can often be the smartest move you make.
And this is why some call it not just emotional intelligence, but behavioural intelligence. Because ultimately, intelligence becomes visible in behaviour — in the judgements you make and the actions you choose.
Five Dimensions Shape Your Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence—frequently referred to as EI.
Click here for a comprehensive definition of emotional intelligence is.
Here's a scenario...
Play the audio - and listen to examples of how emotional intelligence would play out in scenarios in the working environments.
Most People Miss This: The Secret Behind 58% of Job Success.
Most people have little or no understanding of emotional intelligence - yet it accounts for 58% of performance in all job types.
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What's Your Level of Familiarity With It?
1) Non-Existent, 2) Minimal, 3) Moderate, 4) Good, 5) High
Little Or No Familiarity
Few people understand what emotional intelligence actually is. Many who claim to know what it is are unable to explain it clearly when asked; responses often include hesitations like "um," "err," or "kind of," and many just mention one of the five dimensions that shape the concept. Most people are unaware of emotional intelligence, and among those who have heard of it, misunderstanding is widespread.
As stated previously, it accounts for 58% of performance in all job types, so it's well worth investing time and effort in.
Unlike your IQ, your emotional quotient, your EQ, is something you can develop.
In this section:
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What emotional intelligence really means
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A self-assessment to help you gauge your emotional intelligence
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Five ways to boost your emotional intelligence
Five Ways To Boost Your Emotional Intelligence
Unlike your IQ which is relatively stable, your EQ (Emotional Quotient) is something that you can develop.
1) Reflection
When you think back in time, you'll be able to remember situations in which you applied good judgement or made bad decisions.
What trends or patterns of your own behaviour, worked well or badly? Taking time out, particularly walking or jogging by yourself and without headphones is incredibly powerful.
2) Thinking Time
Critical thinking... most people fall into the trap of giving the same time to big choices or problems, as they do little ones!
Consider setting aside, time away from people and distractions, without listening to audio - in which you can simply think things through properly.
3) Input From Others
You may wish to ask other people for their thoughts about your emotional or behaviourial intelligence. Perhaps bosses, ex-bosses or colleagues. What do they think your strengths and weaknesses are?
Also observe other peoples behaviours to identify characteristics that you like, and ones you're not so keen on.
4) Pause: The Shortcut to Smarter Responses
Pausing can be a powerful tool both when making choices alone and when interacting with others. Before acting or responding, take a moment to stop and notice your feelings and impulses, which allows space for thoughtful decisions rather than automatic reactions. This practice helps to avoid snap judgments and promotes more intentional, balanced responses—whether in personal decisions or conversations with others.
5) Brainstorming
This image isn’t just for show—you can use it as a point of reference for brainstorming. To consider possibilities, weigh pros and cons, consider overlooked angles, and reflect on the impact your choices may have on you and others.
Sometimes, the smartest move is knowing when not to act—yet.
Round Table Discussions
Getting people together to discuss emotional intelligence and how it plays out in the workplace is a great way to build awareness and boost performance—both individually and across the business. Ideally, form groups of around five people, either from the same department or a mix. In the first roundtable, each person should introduce one of the five areas of emotional intelligence, followed by an open discussion about how it shows up in their role, team dynamics, current challenges, and individual strengths and weaknesses.