How To Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

In a world where toxic masculinity has become a social norm, improving your emotional intelligence (eq) is essential

Most men are notoriously terrible when it comes to expressing emotion and talking about feelings. There’s the sporting field, which is highly conducive to running out that frustration. And then there are the creative fields, where it’s widely considered that what is bad for the heart is good for art.

Was it Drake who made emotions cool with the track “In My Feelings”, pining after Resha before coming back to Kiki as he asks, ‘Do you love me? Are you riding?’ With these lyrics, it’s hard to say. But the fact is that emotional intelligence can’t be overlooked. Emotional intelligence is more than identifying happiness and sadness. Rather, the ability to self-regulate emotions, respond well to others and communicate effectively has come to be seen as so crucial a life skill that companies have incorporated it into team strategy, and many job-seekers are even listing it as a skill on their CV.

We spoke to Daniel Tolson, an emotional intelligence expert and business coach, to hear his advice on improving emotional intelligence and why it’s so important, particularly today.

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ)?