Emotional intelligence (EI) means knowing how you feel, staying in control, and understanding how other people feel. It helps you communicate clearly, solve problems calmly, and work well with people.
In today’s workplace, EI is just as important as technical skills. Those with strong EI earn trust, handle stress better, and often become effective leaders.
This guide will show you what emotional intelligence is, why it matters in business, and how to develop it.
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What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence means being aware of your own emotions and managing them well. It also involves understanding and influencing how others feel.
Emotionally intelligent people do not react on impulse. They think before they speak and try to answer in a calm and respectful way.
What are emotional intelligence skills?
Emotional intelligence skills include:
- Noticing your own emotions and how they affect you
- Staying calm when things are stressful
- Understanding how others feel
- Speaking clearly and with respect
- Making thoughtful, caring decisions
Social emotional intelligence goes one step further. It helps you understand and manage emotions when working in groups or teams.
These skills can be useful anywhere — from work meetings to home life. In business and leadership, emotional intelligence is seen as one of the top soft skills.
What is emotional intelligence in the workplace
Work is not only about completing tasks. It also involves working with people and emotions. Emotional intelligence helps you deal with these situations in a clear and respectful way.
EI is especially useful when:
- Doing teamwork and collaboration
- Giving or receiving feedback
- Resolving conflicts
- Adapting to change
- Handling stress
A high level of EI helps reduce misunderstandings, improve communication, and build trust. That is why many leaders say emotional intelligence matters more than IQ for long-term success.
Explore our guide to emotional intelligence in the workplace to discover more.
EI vs IQ – which one is more useful?
Emotional intelligence is often more important than IQ at work.
IQ shows how well you think and solve problems. Emotional intelligence shows how well you understand people and work with them.
When comparing emotional intelligence vs intelligence, IQ helps with logic and thinking. But EI helps you work better in a team. That’s why it’s so important for leadership and teamwork.
Many people ask: Why is emotional intelligence important? In any job, being able to understand others and manage your emotions gives you a clear advantage.
Employers agree: 75% of surveyed HR responders say they value an employee’s EQ over IQ.
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We offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all of the essential topics. Our experienced instructors will provide you with the support and guidance that you need to succeed.
Emotional intelligence in leadership
Good leaders need emotional intelligence to lead well.
Research shows that leaders with empathy do 40% better at helping others, making decisions, and communicating clearly.
Emotionally aware leaders are empathetic, make smarter choices, and earn trust and respect. They are kind and successful at their jobs. Great leaders:
- Stay calm during pressure
- Handle conflict constructively
- Motivate and engage others
- Pay attention to what others say before reacting
Traits of emotionally intelligent leaders
- Self-awareness and emotional control
- Empathy for colleagues and clients
- Patience in stressful situations
- The ability to lead with purpose and adapt to feedback
Explore how EI drives leadership performance.
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How to improve emotional intelligence
EI is not something you are born with — it can be developed. Try these steps:
- Make a note of your emotions and what triggers them
- Practice active listening when others speak
- Ask coworkers you trust for honest feedback
- Take a moment to think before you react
- Watch how others handle emotional situations
Choose one skill, like empathy or self-control, and practice it every day. With time, you will see improvement.
Start building your emotional intelligence with easy, daily strategies.
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Emotional intelligence training
Many companies teach emotional intelligence to help employees work better with others. EI courses teach you to deal with stress, discuss hard issues, and learn how to lead a team.
EI training uses real examples, group talks, and self-reflection. They are a great fit for:
- Managers and team leaders
- HR and people teams
- Sales professionals
- Team members going through change
Explore our emotional intelligence training programmes.
Emotional intelligence models and components
Different models explain how emotional intelligence works. Two widely used models are:
- The Goleman model (focusing on workplace performance)
- The Mayer-Salovey ability model (focused on emotional processing)
Both models include similar key skills:
- Self-awareness
- Self-control
- Motivation
- Empathy
- Social awareness
Learn more about the different emotional intelligence models.
Measuring emotional intelligence
You can measure emotional intelligence using self-assessments or emotional intelligence tests. These tools help you see what you are good at and where you can grow.
We suggest checking your EI regularly, especially during personal growth or leadership training. These tests are also helpful for HR and team development.
Read more about how you can try to measure your emotional intelligence.
Develop emotional intelligence skills with ISM Dubai
Emotional intelligence is not just a trendy word. It is a proven skill that makes you successful in today’s fast-changing business world. It helps you stay calm under pressure, work well with others, and lead with care and understanding.
Whatever your role — manager, HR, sales, or support — emotional intelligence is a must-have skill. But, according to Cornerstone University, only 36% of people are emotionally intelligent.
Want to improve your EI? Our expert-led training gives you the tools and mindset to grow — at work and in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emotional intelligence is your ability to understand your own and others’ emotions. Using EI helps you make better choices.
Yes, emotional intelligence is often more important than IQ. It helps you work well with others, manage stress, and lead effectively.
It helps manage stress, improves effective communication, supports teamwork, and boosts leadership success.
Emotional intelligence in business is the ability to:
- recognise,
- understand,
- manage your own emotions and those of others.
It helps build strong relationships, communicate, and make informed, empathetic decisions.
You probably:
- Listen well,
- Do well in conflict resolution,
- Sense how others feel — even if they do not say it.
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