Emotional Intelligence: Key to Professional and Personal Success

By Alexander Fernández

In today's professional world, emotional intelligence is more important than ever. This concept, which has evolved over the past 70 years, remains crucial for success in the workplace and in our daily interactions.

Real-Life Cases and Emotional Intelligence

Let's consider Pedro, who, after sending an angry email to several colleagues, regrets his decision immediately. Or Karla, who, after ten years in the same position and watching other colleagues get promoted, feels stuck and decides to resign during a performance review. These examples show how emotions can influence our decisions and behaviors, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence at work.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

Although relatively recent, the concept of emotional intelligence has deep roots. In 1920, Edward Thorndike used the term "social intelligence" to describe the ability to understand and motivate others. However, it was Wayne Payne who coined the term "emotional intelligence" in his 1985 doctoral thesis. Daniel Goleman popularized the concept with his 1995 book Emotional Intelligence, which helped bring the topic to the general cindejobs.

Emotional intelligence refers to a set of skills and behaviors that allow us to have successful relationships. These can be summarized into three main components: self-awareness, self-regulation, and social awareness, along with other important social skills.

Strengthening Emotional Intelligence

So, how can we strengthen our emotional intelligence, whether we're university students or seasoned professionals? According to Margaret Andrews, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership instructor and former Executive Director of Continuing Education at Harvard, the answer is a resounding yes. Here are some practical steps to improve it:

1. Recognize your emotions: Identifying and naming what you feel is fundamental. In our busy world, we often ignore our own emotions. Ask yourself: What are you feeling right now? In your office? While commuting on the bus? This process is essential for developing self-awareness, the first step in strengthening emotional intelligence.
2. Seek feedback: Ask your colleagues, friends, and family to assess your emotional intelligence. Honest feedback will help you identify areas for improvement that you may not have considered.
3. Invest in your emotional development: Just as you invest in technical training and academic degrees, take the time to read about emotional intelligence. Recommended reading includes Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Primal Leadership by Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee, and The Art of Empathy by Karla McLaren.

Conclusion

Emotional intelligence is crucial in today's workplace, where demands are high, and the environment can be complex. A professional seeking success must constantly work on strengthening these emotional aspects. No matter your age or career stage, there is always room to improve and adapt your emotional skills. Letting go of the mindset of "I've always been this way" is the first step toward continuous personal and professional growth.

About the Author

Alex Fernández is a Business Ethics professor at the PPADE program of the University of Costa Rica. With a background in Work and Organizational Psychology and experience in Social Responsibility at Johnson & Johnson, Fernández combines his knowledge in psychology and management to offer valuable insights into emotional intelligence in the professional field.