Emotional intelligence (EI) was conceptualized in 1990 by 2 social psychologists. This relatively young concept refers to the ability to observe, understand and manage our own emotions, observe and understand the emotions of others, and ultimately be aware of how our emotions affect the people around us.

In practicing emotional intelligence, we can begin to see emotions as internal signals that help us make decisions. It's best to think of these signals as allies; or ´data´ about an event. And this data will be used to assist us in developing our EI.

Many experts now believe that a person’s emotional quotient (EQ) may be a more important factor than their IQ; as it is certainly a better predictor of success, quality of relationships, and overall happiness.

In this episode, I share the basics on what EI is, and how it can benefit you in your own life.