Emotional intelligence is also known as emotional quotient (EQ), recognizing the contrast between emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence (IQ). Leading psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, is just one of the many experts who believe EQ is more important than IQ as a predictor of success, arguing that IQ is simply too narrow to represent the wide spectrum of human abilities.

1. 9 PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENHANCE
YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLGENCE

2. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
9 PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR
EMOTIONAL INTELLGENCE
Emotional intelligence is also known as emotional quotient (EQ), recognizing
the contrast between emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence (IQ).
Leading psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of the book Emotional
Intelligence, is just one of the many experts who believe EQ is more important
than IQ as a predictor of success, arguing that IQ is simply too narrow to
represent the wide spectrum of human abilities.

3. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
While there may not be a definitive answer on which is more important for success, it’s
certainly clear that emotional intelligence plays a huge role. As an example, at one
insurance company, sales agents who ranked highly for EQ measures (yes, it can be
measured, just like IQ) were found to sell insurance policies worth an average of $114,000 –
while colleagues who ranked lower for EQ measures sold policies with an average premium
of $54,000. That’s quite a performance difference!
Emotional intelligence may seem like one of those qualities that you either have or don’t
have. But it’s absolutely something you can learn and improve. At a very basic level, you’re
aiming to be more aware of your emotions and the emotions of those around you – and
ideally, learning to regulate those emotions.

4. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Here are nine simple and practical ways to achieve this:
1. Be curious. There’s a scientific link between curiosity and emotionally intelligent behaviors.
This makes sense when you think about it – part of being emotionally intelligent is being
curious about how others feel (and, of course, how you feel). So why not show an active
interest in the people around you by engaging them with open-ended questions? Nothing
personal, mind you, not unless you know the person well. Try simply asking about their
goals, interests, or challenges. It may give you a good insight into how they’re feeling.
2. Listen actively and intently. To understand how others are feeling, you have to pay
attention. What are they telling you, both with their words and their body language?

5. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
3. Practice empathy. The ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes is a key
component of emotional intelligence. But when did you last consciously put yourself in
someone else's shoes? With our busy, stressful lives, we don't always take the time to stop
and think, "How would I feel if I was in their situation?" So try practicing this more often
when you talk to people. You might be surprised at how powerful this exercise is when it
comes to grasping another person’s point of view.
4. Identify and analyze your own emotions. Try to observe how you're feeling – perhaps
even apply a label to the feeling, such as anger or happiness – and consider how this might
influence your behavior and decisions. Over time, as you become more accustomed to
analyzing how you feel, you should find it easier to stop and think before you act rather
than letting emotions take over.

6. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
5. Learn to accept your own emotions. When observing how you feel, practice
accepting your emotions without judgment. This can be really hard when you're
feeling something like jealousy or anger because we're hard-wired to feel ashamed of
such feelings. But accepting your emotions is the first step in being able to manage
them.
6. Be mindful. A great way to tune into your emotions is to practice mindfulness (being
fully present in the moment). Take a few moments to really focus on everything that’s
going on inside and around you – thoughts, feelings, sensations, etc. – and use this
understanding to analyze your feelings in more detail. This can be especially useful in
times of stress.

7. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
7. Keep a journal. Journaling is another great way to tune into your feelings. Take a few
minutes each day to write down how you felt across the day and reflect on where those
emotions might have stemmed from.
8. Measure your emotional intelligence – and track your progress. As I mentioned, EQ can
be measured, just like IQ. There are lots of tools online that will help you measure your EQ
and identify areas that you might want to work on. If you repeat the measures over time
(say, every six months or once a year), you should be able to see your improvement.
9. Invest in an emotional intelligence course. There are free courses online, so this doesn’t
even necessarily require a financial investment. More, it’s about investing your time and
energy in self-directed study and making a commitment to your continual learning.

8. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Read more about emotional intelligence and other essential skills in my new
book, Future Skills: The 20 Skills & Competencies Everyone Needs To
Succeed In A Digital World. Written for anyone who wants to surf the wave of
digital transformation – rather than be drowned by it – the book explores
why these vital future skills matter and how to develop them.

9. © 2021 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker,
futurist, and a strategic business & technology advisor to governments and
companies. He helps organisations improve their business performance, use data
more intelligently, and understand the implications of new technologies such as
artificial intelligence, big data, blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is
a frequent contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for
Forbes. Every day Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers
and shares content that reaches millions of readers.

10. hello@bernardmarr.com
www.bernardmarr.com