Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) in professional settings involves recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions — both your own and others' — to facilitate better team collaboration. High EI enables teams to navigate conflicts, celebrate successes, and maintain productivity through challenging periods.

EI comprises 4 core components:

• Self-awareness (recognizing your emotional triggers and responses)
• Self-management (regulating your reactions)
• Social awareness (reading the team's emotional climate)
• Relationship management (using emotional understanding to strengthen team bonds)^[1]

Each component directly impacts team dynamics and project outcomes. In practice, strong EI manifests as the ability to receive critical feedback constructively, give difficult news sensitively, and maintain composure during high-pressure situations. For instance, before intervening in a tense meeting, EI helps you regulate your own emotions, ensuring you respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.