What Is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognise, understand and manage one’s own emotions as well as to perceive, interpret and influence the emotions of others. It encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, social perception and relationship skills that enable individuals to navigate interpersonal dynamics effectively. In the workplace, emotional intelligence influences communication, collaboration, conflict resolution and leadership effectiveness by helping people respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. High emotional intelligence supports constructive workplace interactions, enabling individuals to adjust their behaviour based on social cues and emotional context.
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters for Organisations and Employees
Emotional intelligence matters because it directly affects individual and team performance, leadership quality and organisational culture. For employees, stronger EI can lead to improved interpersonal communication, better stress management and more constructive handling of workplace challenges. For organisations, fostering emotional intelligence enhances collaboration, reduces conflict, and supports employee engagement and retention — particularly in roles involving teamwork, customer interaction, or leadership responsibility. By valuing emotional intelligence alongside technical skills, employers build more resilient, adaptable and inclusive work environments that can respond effectively to change.
Core Components and Skills of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is typically understood as comprising several interrelated skills and competencies that together support effective emotional and social functioning:
- Self-awareness — recognising one’s own emotions, strengths, limitations and their impact on others.
- Self-regulation — managing impulses, adapting to change and maintaining composure under pressure.
- Motivation — harnessing emotions to pursue goals with energy, persistence and a positive outlook.
- Empathy — perceiving and understanding the emotions and perspectives of others.
- Social skills — building rapport, influencing others and navigating social interactions constructively.
How Organisations Apply Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
In practice, organisations may incorporate emotional intelligence into talent management, leadership development and performance evaluation by offering training, coaching and assessment tools that help employees strengthen EI competencies. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are often better equipped to inspire teams, manage conflict and support employee well-being, which in turn can improve organisational outcomes. Embedding emotional intelligence principles into HR practices — such as recruitment, onboarding and leadership development — encourages a more emotionally aware culture that values both interpersonal effectiveness and business performance.
