Emotional Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emotional Intelligence?
What is a competency?
What is an Emotional Competence?
What are the EI competencies?
What is the intended use of the Emotional Competence Inventory?
Is there a self-scoring version of the ECI available?
How long does it take to complete the ECI?

What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)?

EI refers to the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions in us and in our relationships. EI describes abilities distinct from, but complementary to, academic intelligence or the purely cognitive capacities measured by IQ.

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What is a competency?

A competency is any motive, attitude, skill, knowledge, behavior or other personal characteristic that distinguishes superior performers.

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What is an Emotional Competence?

An emotional competence is a learned capacity based on emotional intelligence that results in outstanding performance at work. For superior performance in jobs of all kinds, emotional competence matters twice as much as IQ and technical skill combined.

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What are the EI competencies?

Self-Awareness: Knowing one's internal states, preferences, resources, and intuitions

• Emotional Self-Awareness: Recognizing one's emotions and their effects
• Accurate Self-Assessment: Knowing one's strengths and limits
• Self-Confidence: A strong sense of one's self-worth and capabilities

Self-Management: Managing ones' internal states, impulses, and resources

• Self-Control: Keeping disruptive emotions and impulses in check
• Trustworthiness: Maintaining standards of honesty and integrity
• Conscientiousness: Taking responsibility for personal performance
• Adaptability: Flexibility in handling change
• Achievement Orientation: Striving to improve or meeting a standard of excellence
• Initiative: Readiness to act on opportunities

Social Awareness: Awareness of others feelings, needs, and concerns

• Empathy: Sensing others' feelings and perspectives, and taking an active interest in their concerns
• Organizational Awareness: Reading a group's emotional currents and power relationships
• Service Orientation: Anticipating, recognizing, and meeting customers' needs

Social Skills: Adeptness at inducing desirable responses in others

• Developing Others: Sensing others' development needs and bolstering their abilities
• Leadership: Inspiring and guiding individuals and groups
• Influence: Wielding effective tactics for persuasion
• Communication: Listening openly and sending convincing messages
• Change Catalyst: Initiating or managing change
• Conflict Management: Negotiating and resolving disagreements
• Building Bonds: Nurturing instrumental relationships
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working with others toward shared goals. Creating group synergy in pursuing collective goals.

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What is the intended use of the ECI?

The ECI was initially developed for use in one-on-one executive coaching. Over the past year we have noticed that clients are using the ECI in training and development efforts at all levels within their organization.

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Is there a self-scoring version of the ECI available?

No, the ECI was specifically developed as a 360º instrument because it makes for a more reliable tool. Certain competencies such as Emotional Self-Awareness, would be very difficult for someone to self rate. (If you don’t have it, you don’t know that you don’t!)

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How long does it take to complete an ECI?

It takes about 20 minutes to complete the 80-item questionnaire.

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