13 Signs You’re An Emotionally Intelligent Person

Pixabay | fancycrave1

Emotional intelligence is important for more reasons than that it draws yet another line between you and a serial killer. (Woohoo!)

Emotional intelligence helps you better understand people, it contributes to your IQ by helping you better understand situations that require empathy, and it can help you adjust to change and be more flexible, according to Entrepreneur.com.

Employers often seek people with high emotional intelligence, which is referred to as EQ in the business world, because employees with high EQ have all of the above characteristics.

Flexibility and empathy often help people work better on teams and be able to better understand what others want or need. Here are 13 signs you’re an emotionally intelligent person, and you can do a little celebratory, empathetic dance with your coworkers.

1. You Pay Attention To Details

You notice what people are looking at, topics they’re avoiding, any hesitancy they might have before speaking, or even how their tone changes with their mood — all of these characteristics make you more in tune to people and what they’re feeling at that moment. You can tell when people are stressed and you remember the small things they like or dislike. You’re the essence of detail-oriented.

take notes photo
Photo by Chung Ho Leung

2. You’re Fascinated By What Makes People Unique

You love learning about what makes people tick. If you’re like me, that means sitting on the subway and inventing stories for some of the passengers — where they’re going, who they’re meeting, what their lives are like — with small clues from their posture, their facial expressions, or what they’re reading. You’re a people watcher, and you appreciate people for all their idiosyncrasies.

people watching photo
Photo by Elvert Barnes

3. You’re Super Self-Aware

Maybe cripplingly so, or maybe just enough to admit to your strengths and your downfalls. This one comes on a scale. Some emotionally intelligent people border on anxious, while others are just outgoing. Self-aware people are generally more willing to admit when they’ve messed up, and some often apologize when no apology is actually necessary. Overall, this is a great characteristic, because you’re always aware of the effects your actions have on others.

florist photo
Photo by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

4. You Live In The Present

Sure, you like to plan things, but you don’t live to plan. And you certainly aren’t constantly on your phone texting when you’re out with a big group of people. You try to give your attention to the people you’re with, and you try to get the most out of every experience. You also have an easier time letting go of things that are in the past than most people, and you don’t stress too much about the future. You think critically about what’s going on during your day so that you can process everything around you.

thinking photo

5. You Confront People Instead Of Ignoring Problems

You’re not a gossip hound, and you don’t let problems fester for long before addressing them. You approach people logically and you seek to find a solution to disagreements ASAP. You’re not the brooding type, and you love people, so this trait helps you foster both of those.

solution photo
Photo by GotCredit

6. You’re A Great Listener

You don’t just passively sit next to your friend and get hammered while she yammers about wedding arrangements or problems at work. Instead, you really tune in to what she’s saying. You ask questions when you have them, and if she asks for advice, you tell her honestly what you think. You’re someone who remembers specific things that people have said for months and, in some cases, years.

listener photo

7. You Can Put Yourself In Other People’s Shoes

You have empathy, which means you can imagine what it might be like to be in someone else’s situation. You strive to understand their emotions, and you don’t shoot down your friends’ and family’s issues as “not your problem.” You want to understand, and maybe help in whatever small way you can.

hug photo

8. You Can Dissect & Assess Your Emotions

You aren’t just good at feeling and being honest about it — you’re also great at feeling and understanding why you might be feeling that way. You know yourself well, too. You understand that if you’re feeling extra agitated or restless one day, maybe it’s because you didn’t get as much exercise as you normally do. Or you know that in order to feel better after a long day at work, you need at least an hour to yourself to read a book or go for a walk. You get yourself, and you’re tuned into your emotional needs.

emotional needs photo
Photo by Lel4nd

9. You Don’t Mind Talking With Strangers & Friends

Because you’re tuned into people’s emotions, you can often easily navigate meeting new people. Within a few minutes of meeting someone, you can adjust to their style of communication and become genuinely interested in who they are. This also means that you adapt to any social situation.

social friends photo
Photo by Parker Knight

10. You Often Stick To Ethical Boundaries

Entrepreneur.com found that businesses are interested in people with a high emotional intelligence because it often means that they are aware of their actions and the consequences, which means they are more likely to stick to ethical boundaries and policies in their work. People with high EQs are less likely to make reckless decisions and they can rationally think through a tough ethical dilemma.

critical thinking photo
Photo by Daniele Zedda

11. You’re Self-Motivated

You aren’t motivated by money or the promise of power. Often, they are motivated by their own desire to do well and make an impact. Emotionally intelligent people often want to do their best just because they can, not because it means getting a promotion or bragging about an accomplishment.

motivation photo

12. You Want To Help People

You don’t get full satisfaction from life unless you’re engaged with people who might need your help. Whether it’s volunteering at a local homeless shelter, or heading a campaign for an important social justice issue — emotionally intelligent people are more likely to pursue causes in their free time where they can actually help others.

motivation photo

13. You Need Time To Work On You

Yes, you love helping others and being around people, but you also need time for yourself so that you can keep yourself happy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you know when to call it quits so that you can rejuvenate and understand how to get your life organized again. You want to understand your own emotional problems to make yourself stronger long term.

Pixabay | Foundry

Curiosity, Health, Wellness & Fitness
,

Related posts

You might want to thank your younger siblings for teaching you empathy
Facebook post about 'Terrible' 2-year-olds is going viral
How to teach kids to apologize instead of commanding them to say, 'I'm sorry'
Color Run - Wembley
Study Finds Humans Love Dogs More Than Other People

About the Author
Josephine Yurcaba
Josephine Yurcaba is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer. She specializes in lifestyle content, women's issues, politics, and New York music. She has written for Bustle, The Daily Meal, The Village Voice, and Rolling Stone.

From our partners