Performance and Intelligence: Part II

Performance and Intelligence: Part II – Intelligence

Psychologist Robert Sternberg defined intelligence as “the mental abilities necessary for adaptation to, as well as shaping and selection of, any environmental context.” Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences, where each represents a unique skill or talent appropriate for a category, listing eight types: linguistic, logical, spatial, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, kinesthetic, and naturalistic.

Recently, he added a ninth: existential intelligence. This deals with intuition and profound questioning about human life and its purpose. Eminent personalities like Socrates and Buddha are notable for demonstrating exceptional levels of existential intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence

I would like to dwell on Emotional Intelligence. It is the capability to observe one’s own and others’ feelings, differentiate between various emotions, and suitably use this emotional evidence to direct both thought and action.

The four key components of emotional intelligence are:

1. Self-awareness
2. Self-management
3. Social awareness
4. Relationship management

Self-Awareness

Emotional self-awareness is the skill to know your own emotions and the role they play in your performance. It involves being aware of your feelings, questioning whether they help or hinder, and understanding how you deal with them. It also means being conscious of how others perceive you and making efforts to align your personal image for the greater good. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses fosters self-confidence, clarity in values, a sense of purpose, and certainty in your chosen path of action.

Self-Management

Self-management, or self-regulation, is the ability to manage behaviors, thoughts, and emotions mindfully and creatively. This helps reign in negative emotions, bypass distractions, and sustain attention to remain productive and fulfill responsibilities.

Social Awareness

Social awareness is an individual’s ability to appreciate the perspectives of other members, teams, or communities and utilize these perspectives in interactions. This ability helps individuals fit in, add value to a community, and obtain what they need from the world. It further enables professionals to maintain attitude and composure in the workplace, easing communication, collaboration, and information sharing. Social awareness is fundamental to building bonds and relationships, which help us lead happy and contented lives.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Relationship Management

Relationship management involves creating and maintaining continuous links with all stakeholders. It aims to build a partnership between an organization and its patrons, moving beyond transactional business interactions. Customers who feel their needs are addressed are more likely to continue using a company's products and services. At its core, emotional intelligence—and life in general—is about building strong, healthy, effective relationships. This requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to motivate and inspire others, forge bonds, help others change and grow, and resolve conflicts.