Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Competence :
Major theories, Statistics and Theories
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage
our own emotions and the emotions of others.It plays a crucial role in various aspects
of our lives, including personal relationships, academic and professional
success..Wider areas of intelligence enable or dictate how successful we are
toughness, determination, and vision help. It is an increasingly important
consideration in human resource planning, job profiling, recruitment interviewing and
selection, learning and development, and client relation and customer service, among
others.1
Emotional competency refers to the set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable
individuals to understand, express, and regulate their emotions effectively. It plays a
crucial role in various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional
success, and overall well-being.Emotional competences or skills may comprise
different characteristics depending on the framework employed. The different
theoretical frameworks all attribute primary roles to emotional self-awareness, i.e. the
ability to understand one’s own emotional reactions and their effects on thinking and
behavior, which may support more thoughtful decision-making; to self-management
(or self-control), which ensures a better capacity to cope with uncertainty and the
pressure of everyday life; and to empathy and social awareness, which impact
interpersonal relationships by creating more profound connections with others and an
improved reciprocal understanding .2
One theory that explores emotional intelligence is the Trait Model, which suggests
that individuals have certain inherent personality traits that contribute to their
emotional intelligence. On the other hand, individuals with a high level of neuroticism
may struggle with emotional regulation and have difficulty managing stress. Another
theory is the Ability Model, which proposes that emotional intelligence can be
measured through specific cognitive abilities related to emotion perception and
understanding.
In the modern knowledge society, citizens must have sufficient skills to handle
information, transform it into knowledge, learn to learn and continue learning
throughout their lives.3 Statistics on emotional intelligence can provide valuable
insights into its importance and impact. According to a study conducted by Talentsmart, a leading provider of emotional intelligence assessments, individuals with
high emotional intelligence outperform those with low emotional intelligence in
various areas of life. These include higher job performance, better leadership skills,
stronger interpersonal relationships, and improved mental health.In addition,
statistics from a study conducted by the Consortium for Research on Emotional
Intelligence in Organizations show that companies with emotionally intelligent
leaders have higher employee engagement, lower turnover rates, and better overall
organizational performance. Emotional intelligence is a crucial factor in effective
1
(Serrat, 2017) Understanding and Developing Emotional Intelligence,
(Sauli et al., 2022) Emotional Competences in vocational education and training
3 (Benito-Osrio et al., 2013) The future of emotional competences in higher education
2
leadership, with various aspects contributing to its impact. These include the
appraisal and expression of emotions, the use of emotions to enhance cognitive
processes and decision making, knowledge about emotions, and the management of
emotions in oneself and others.
One major factor that influences emotional competency is self-awareness.Selfawareness involves recognizing and understanding one's own emotions, thoughts,
and behaviors. It allows individuals to accurately assess their strengths and
weaknesses, as well as the impact of their emotions on themselves and others. Selfawareness is the foundation of emotional competency as it provides individuals with
the ability to identify and understand their emotions, which is essential for effective
emotional regulation.
Another major factor that influences emotional competency is empathy. Empathy
refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy not only
enhances interpersonal relationships but also contributes to effective collaboration,
conflict resolution, and teamwork. There are several theories that attempt to explain
the development and importance of emotional competency. One prominent theory
is Daniel Goleman's theory of emotional intelligence. Goleman proposed that
emotional intelligence consists of five dimensions: self-awareness, self-regulation,
motivation, empathy, and social skills.Children make great strides in gaining
competence that allows them to effectively problem solve social situations, but this
success is tied to the quality of relationships they have with adults.4
EI proposes that skills for recognizing, understanding, and regulating human emotions
are critical for humans to act on emotions adaptively5.The exploration of emotional
intelligence (EI) and emotional competence underscores the profound impact of
understanding and managing emotions in both personal and professional realms.
Through the lens of EI, individuals gain insights into their own emotions, develop
empathy for others, cultivate effective communication skills, and enhance their
ability to navigate social interactions. Emotional competence, as a manifestation of
EI, equips individuals with the tools to thrive in diverse environments, foster
meaningful relationships, and adapt to challenges with resilience.
4
(Walton & Hibbard, 2017) Exploring adults emotional intelligence and knowledge of young children’s emotional
competence.
5 (Nathanson et al., 2016) Creating emotionally intelligent schools with RULER