The Four Branches of Emotional Intelligence

I have a weekly reminder on my calendar to study the four concepts below. They are the four branches of Emotional Intelligence. The definition of Emotional Intelligence (I’m going to stop capitalizing now) varies slightly depending on who’s supplying it and whether or not they are trying to sell you their methodology for leveraging it, but, in essence, it is our ability to observe and make use of our emotions and the emotions of others. That about sums it up.

The reason I have this reminder is twofold. First, I think it’s a great idea to remain conscious of the concept of emotional intelligence. It reminds me that there is great value in being aware of my own emotional state throughout the day and the emotional state of those around me. That awareness allows me to enter into each interaction with eyes and heart wide open. I think it makes me more effective in just about everything I do. Besides that, it helps in avoiding emotional ambushes. Nobody likes those.

The second reason I keep this reminder going is because being conscious of the four branches helps remind me that there is more to being a lay student of emotional intelligence than just being aware of emotions and emotional states. Once you have information, you have to do something with that information. We all subconsciously leverage the four branches: we perceive each others emotions; we use emotions to communicate; we seek to understand emotions in our relationships; and we definitely manage emotions. Most people don’t like the negative connotations of the word “manipulate.” I would use it, though, to describe what we do with emotions all day long: we manipulate our own emotions and the emotions of others. What form that manipulation takes and to what end we manipulate…well, that’s where the “good” and “bad” of it comes in. The simple fact is that we use emotional intelligence to…mold…emotions and behaviors all day long.

Why is this important? Emotional intelligence is like any other form of intelligence. It is a skill that can and should be developed. The first step is being aware that it exists. The second step is becoming aware of our own emotions throughout the day. Like I like to tell people, the strong emotional reactions we have to events and people are great indicators that we need a deeper dive into why WE react the way we do. I have found that the more attuned I make myself to my own emotional fluctuations, the fewer and less extreme these become. As I go about my day and tiredness creeps in, the less likely I am to remain conscious. And when consciousness goes…let’s just say I can be a weenie towards the end of the day if I am not careful. Just ask my family.

There are more reasons to increase and develop your emotional intelligence. For now, I think the most important thing you can do is start to strive to become more conscious of your own emotional state. In time, it will become more second nature. You’ll find that you’ll be able to catch yourself when you start going into dark, unhappy places. How you address those moments is up to you. I highly recommend finding a way to not just catch but save yourself from those dark, unhappy places. Your colleagues, friends, and family just might notice!

The Four Branches of Emotional Intelligence:

Perceiving Emotions: The ability to perceive emotions in oneself and others as well as in objects, art, stories, music, and other stimuli

Facilitating Thought: The ability to generate, use, and feel emotion as necessary to communicate feelings or employ them in other cognitive processes

Understanding Emotions: The ability to understand emotional information, to understand how emotions combine and progress through relationship transitions, and to appreciate such emotional meanings

Managing Emotions: The ability to be open to feelings, and to modulate them in oneself and others so as to promote personal understanding and growth