10 signs of low emotional intelligence
A few years back, experts came to realise that a person’s intelligence was not the most important element contributing to their life’s success. Emotional intelligence (sometimes referred to as EQ) can be harder to measure than IQ, but plays a significant role in every aspect of your life.
Unfortunately, just as with the intelligence quotient, some people just don’t measure up. Here are some simple signs that you are low on the emotional intelligence scale.
1. No emotional control – Lashing out in anger; giving over to unprovoked fits of giddiness.
2. Easily stressed – Losing control of your temper; allowing your own feelings to negatively impact upon those around you.
3. Abundance of confidence – Being confident is good; being overconfident for no reason is not. Don’t brag, don’t assume you have all the answers.
4. Faltering friendships – Maintaining a network of friends and acquaintances is a sign of high E.Q.; the opposite tends to reflect a lack of emotional intelligence.
5. Unable to express emotions – A poker face is good for the card table, but not for everyday interactions.
6. Failure is catastrophic – To someone with low emotional intelligence, failing is a terrifying prospect that stops them in their tracks.
7. Constantly interrupting – People with higher emotional intelligence actively listen and pay attention to body language. Conversely, people with low E.Q. interrupt often and struggle to correctly interpret meaning.
8. Accentuate the negative – Find fault with others easily; focus on negative aspects.
9. “Silly emotions” – Often aware of emotional shortcomings, these people will downplay the importance of emotion, or trivialise others’ feelings.
10. No empathy – The ability to empathise and sympathise reflects a high level of emotional intelligence. The inability to do these things often reflects the opposite.
Do you recognise any of these traits in yourself, or perhaps in someone you love?