#2: What Is Emotional Intelligence, Really?

You’ve probably heard of IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, but have you ever thought about your EQ? Emotional intelligence (EQ) is your ability to understand and manage emotions—your own and other people’s. It’s like having a built-in user manual, but for your feelings. People with high EQ don’t just know what they’re feeling—they know why they’re feeling it, how to deal with it, and what to respond with towards others in healthy ways.

In fact, a study I came across explained it perfectly: emotionally intelligent people “comprehend the causes and consequences of their emotions and manage emotional states in order to adapt and reach their goals.” Translation? When things get rough—a failed test, a problematic friendship, a panic spiral—EQ is the skill that helps you stay grounded and move forward rather than shutting down.

It’s not about being “soft” or overly emotional. It’s about being mentally equipped to face life’s stress without crumbling under it. That’s why EQ is so powerful. Which is why schools (and life in general) need to start paying more attention to it.

Source: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Social Work Students, 2024