Introduction to Emotional Intelligence
The human brain is wired to experience emotions before logic can intervene. Every sensory experience travels through the body as electric signals. These signals enter the brain near the spinal cord and must travel to the frontal lobe to be processed by the rational mind. On their way, they pass through the limbic system, which is the area responsible for generating emotions. This physical path ensures that we feel an experience emotionally before our reasoning mind has a chance to respond.
The interaction between the emotional and rational centers of the brain is the physical source of emotional intelligence. While the rational part of the brain cannot stop an emotion from being felt, the two areas constantly communicate and influence one another. Travis Bradberry illustrates this through a surfer named Butch Connor, who faced a great white shark. Butch was initially paralyzed by intense fear, but by consciously calming himself, he allowed his rational mind to take control. This enabled him to paddle to safety and save his life.
Understanding this balance is vital because emotional intelligence often predicts success more accurately than traditional intelligence. Research shows that people with average IQs outperform those with high IQs about 70 percent of the time. This finding identifies emotional intelligence as the missing link in human performance. While humans are capable of complex thought, only about 36 percent of people can accurately identify their emotions as they happen. This means the majority of individuals are controlled by their feelings rather than using them as a tool for better decision-making.
Every emotion we experience is a variation of five core feelings: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and shame. When these feelings become intense, they can cause an emotional hijacking where the emotional center of the brain takes over. While we cannot control the initial spark of an emotion, we can control how we react to it. By identifying specific triggers based on our personal history, we can train ourselves to respond more productively.
To understand a person's full potential, one must look at IQ, personality, and emotional intelligence. IQ represents the ability to learn and is fixed from birth, while personality is the stable style that remains consistent throughout life. Neither of these traits can predict a person's emotional intelligence. Unlike the other two, emotional intelligence is a flexible skill that can be developed and improved with practice. It accounts for nearly 60 percent of job performance across all industries, making it the most effective way to achieve lasting success.
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