Sunday 24 February 2013

Define emotional intelligence. Explain Goleman’s model of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups. Various models and definitions have been proposed of which the ability and trait EI models are the most widely accepted in the scientific literature. Criticisms have centered on whether the construct is a real intelligence and whether it has incremental validity over IQ and the Big Five personality dimensions.


The model introduced by Daniel Goleman[18] focuses on EI as a wide array of competencies and skills that drive leadership performance. Goleman's model outlines four main EI constructs:
Self-awareness – the ability to read one's emotions and recognize their impact while using gut feelings to guide decisions.

Self-management – involves controlling one's emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances.

Social awareness – the ability to sense, understand, and react to others' emotions while comprehending social networks.

Relationship management – the ability to inspire, influence, and develop others while managing conflict.

Goleman includes a set of emotional competencies within each construct of EI. Emotional competencies are not innate talents, but rather learned capabilities that must be worked on and can be developed to achieve outstanding performance. Goleman posits that individuals are born with a general emotional intelligence that determines their potential for learning emotional competencies.[19] Goleman's model of EI has been criticized in the research literature as mere "pop psychology" (Mayer, Roberts, & Barsade, 2008).