I like this straightforward definition by Dr. Charles Wolfe, a pioneer in the field: “Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage your own emotions, others’ emotions, and your emotional relationship with others.”

There are several instruments available to assess your EQ. I am certified to administer the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT).* This highly validated test evaluates your emotional abilities by having you complete tasks and solve emotional problems. MSCEIT focuses on four skill sets to identify your specific strengths and areas for improvement:

1. Perceiving emotions
2. Using emotions
3. Understanding emotions
4. Managing emotions

*Dr. Jack Mayer (Professor of Psychology, University of New Hampshire), Dr. Peter Salovey (President, Yale University), and Dr. David Caruso (Research Affiliate, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence) are foremost researchers in the field of emotional intelligence.

Many wonder if EQ is a fixed trait like IQ, or a more malleable characteristic that can be improved.  The good news is that yes, with effort, you can significantly develop your EQ for the better. Emotional intelligence involves a set of skills that can be learned and honed through increased awareness and consistent practice.

Emotions mobilize us to deal with events. Sometimes, this process is automatic (e.g. a “fight or flight” response to a physical threat). But, you can also deliberately use emotions to facilitate the task at hand. For example, people are typically better at learning when they are in a positive mood. Conversely, when stress is high, learning is hard. So, if you want to learn something—or help others learn—cultivate a positive mood by thinking of things that make you happy, listening to upbeat music, or telling a joke.

As with any coaching process, we begin by expanding your self-knowledge. From there we set goals, formulate strategies and tactics, and work together as you practice more effective behaviors. These steps typically unfold over the course of 3 to 6 months:

1. Insight: You will complete an online assessment instrument to gauge your emotional abilities. We will debrief the results, discussing your stronger abilities alongside opportunities for improvement.
2. Vision: Based on the results of the assessment, you will determine where you want to focus to leverage your strengths and improve in areas of lesser ability. You will set specific goals for how you want to develop your emotional abilities.
3. Change: We will create an action plan to move the needle toward your goals. Meeting regularly, we will review your progress to deepen learning, overcome obstacles, and ensure you are achieving your goals.

In addition to my coaching credentials, I have completed two levels of certification with the International Society for Emotional Intelligence. These certifications qualify me to administer the MSCEIT, a highly validated assessment instrument developed by Dr. Jack Mayer (Professor of Psychology, University of New Hampshire), Dr. Peter Salovey (President, Yale University), and Dr. David Caruso (Research Affiliate, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence). I have enormous respect for these pioneering researchers in the emotional intelligence field.