In a world that often prioritizes intellectual prowess and physical strength, there is a frequently overlooked and often underrated superpower that exists. It’s the underdog of superpowers we have at our disposal that lies dormant until activated. This extraordinary, often underestimated superpower is called Emotional Intelligence (EQ)— Unlike IQ, which measures cognitive abilities, EQ refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage not only our own emotions but also those of others.
Emotional intelligence is an actual skill that can be developed over time. It’s a skill of navigating the intricate terrain of human emotions, enabling us to respond to life's challenges with grace and resilience as well as understanding others through an empathetic lens. Consider EQ as the compass that leads us through the choppy waters of our emotions. It enables us to understand the emotional undercurrents that shape our thoughts and behaviors, giving us the knowledge we need to make mature, empathetic decisions.
Understanding Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
The reason I believe EQ is an underrated superpower is because, so few people possess it. Now that’s not to say that a high number of people believe they are emotionally intelligent, but just because they believe it doesn’t necessarily make it true. It’s been estimated that only 36% of the population possess the skill of emotional intelligence. Although this number may seem low, we can infer it is in fact ever expanding, as more and more people are choosing to reconnect with themselves and grow as people
Emotional intelligence in the workplace is no longer a “nice to have” — it is a leadership competency that directly impacts decision-making, culture, retention, and performance. Leaders with high EQ don’t just manage tasks; they manage emotional climates. They recognize how unexamined reactions, unresolved insecurity, and unconscious projection quietly shape communication, authority, and trust. In high-pressure environments, emotional intelligence becomes the difference between reactive leadership and regulated leadership — between control and credibility. Organizations that develop EQ at a leadership level don’t just reduce conflict or burnout but create emotionally sovereign leaders who can self-regulate under pressure, take responsibility for their internal state, and lead without outsourcing their authority to fear, ego, or external validation.
Emotional intelligence is an asset for personal development. Although it can be challenging to master, it is a skill that can evolve with time. Individuals with high levels of EQ are often more adept at managing their feelings and navigating tough circumstances. They also tend to have greater confidence in making decisions and often excel at building positive connections with others. Overall, possessing emotional intelligence is an advantageous trait to possess that serves us well in diverse scenarios. Recognizing that emotional intelligence is a skill that can be honed with persistent practice, rather than an innate quality, is essential. With dedication and hard work, one can enhance their emotional intelligence.
Breaking It Down
We can place the components of EQ into two different sets of skills to improve on. The first being our personal skills such as self-awareness and our self-management skills as these are the areas that are within your personal control. The second set being your social skills which includes social awareness and relationship management. These are the areas outside ourselves that provide us with the opportunity to understand the emotions and behaviors of the people around us.
- Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is all about being able to accurately recognize your own emotions in the moment, whilst managing your emotions and reactions towards people, places and situations in a healthy manner. Taking the time to learn about yourself, your typical reactions and tendencies, what makes you tick/ pushes your buttons etc., is key as it allows you to gain a sense of your emotions quickly. It also involves recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as your own needs and drives. The more you understand yourself and your emotions, the stronger your overall EQ will be.
- Self-Management
Self-management is the ability to effectively manage your own behavior to achieve your objectives. It involves learning to manage your emotions, time, and the ability to make good decisions. This could involve setting goals, developing strategies, reflection and taking action to reach those goals. Self-management is taking your self-awareness to a deeper level as you cannot actively manage that which you are unaware of. It’s your ability to use your self-awareness to control your behaviors and impulses and express your emotions in an acceptable manner.
- Social awareness
Understanding and being sensitive to other people's emotions, thoughts, and attitudes is known as social awareness. Recognizing social signs, interpreting body language, and having empathy for others are all part of it. Understanding social norms and expectations of other cultures as well as various social, political, and economic groups is also necessary. Interpersonal communication is a crucial component of social awareness, which is also necessary for forming bonds with people and cooperating with them.
Self-awareness alone is insufficient. You also need to be acutely aware of your surroundings. Your capacity to detect other people's needs and worries and to express empathy is an indication of how well you can successfully engage with your surroundings.
- Relationship management
Understanding, and navigating the complexities of interpersonal relationships in a skilled way is relationship management. It involves recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions in yourself as well as the emotions in others. Empathy, active listening, assertiveness, conflict resolution, offering and receiving feedback all play an active role in the management of successful relationships, making relationship management an important skill to have.
Emotional intelligence is not a personality trait or a soft skill — it is a discipline of leadership. In the workplace, EQ determines how effectively you regulate pressure, navigate conflict, communicate authority, and influence culture. Leaders with developed emotional intelligence take responsibility for their internal state rather than projecting it onto their teams, decisions, or environments. This is what creates trust, stability, and sustainable performance.
Developing EQ is not about becoming more emotional; it’s about becoming more self-led. It requires ongoing awareness, intentional regulation, and the willingness to confront unconscious patterns that undermine authority and impact. When emotional intelligence is treated as a trainable leadership capacity, it becomes the foundation for resilient leadership, healthy cultures, and long-term professional success.