by Arika

It's understandable why we place such value on the intelligence quotient (IQ). After all, our society tends to place a high-value education and measuring one’s problem-solving ability. But what about the emotional quotient? To some, this seems like a foreign concept; but to many, this can actually be more important than the intelligence quotient. Strong emotional intelligence allows you to navigate through life easier. Not only can your EQ affect yourself, but it can also affect your ability to read the cues other people and learn how to react appropriately.

Emotional intelligence is not simply maturity, it has 5 components that help us gain skills required to understand the world around us, empathize when others are suffering, and become better negotiators with ourselves and our teams.

Let’s take a look at the five categories of the emotional quotient a little more closely:

1. Self-Awareness

Being self-aware means you recognize the emotions that...