Emotional Quotient

What does emotional quotient mean?

Emotional quotient, often called EQ, is a common way of discussing emotional intelligence: recognising emotions, understanding what may contribute to them, and responding thoughtfully. It also includes listening to other people and handling disagreement with awareness of their perspective.

Beyond being agreeable

Emotional awareness does not mean always staying cheerful or avoiding conflict. You can recognise frustration, set a boundary, and still communicate respectfully. Notice the difference between what you feel, what you assume, and what you actually say or do.

A useful exercise

Think of a recent conversation that became tense. Name your emotion, identify the situation that preceded it, and consider one alternative response. Expressions of emotion and expectations around politeness differ between families and communities, so take the context into account.