The power of emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to understand the emotions you and others feel, and be able to use those feelings in positive ways. For example, someone with a high EQ may be able to tell when their colleagues are low in morale, and be able to offer encouragement to help them cope.

This guide explores what EQ is in more detail, and explains ways you and your team can improve and develop your EQ skills. This includes how to spot and understand your own emotional triggers, how to share your feelings in a healthy way, and tips on stopping unhelpful patterns of thinking. This is especially relevant during the additional pressures many industries have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While it was originally written for NHS staff, any organisation may be able to use the advice. It includes a section specifically for leaders, so is ideal for line managers looking to improve how they communicate and understand their reports.

You can choose to make an account on the Our NHS People site, even if you do not work for the NHS. This allows you to track your progress through this guide and many others, and lets you return to the place you left off if you have to stop part way through a section. Click here to create an account or log in. However, you do not need to make an account to access it if you’d prefer not to.

To see the full list of guides available from Our NHS People, click here.