The more formal definition they use goes as follows: [Emotional intelligence is] the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to regulate emotions as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.

think. Also, emotions can help us focus our attention and guide us as we solve problems. The third branch, Understanding Emotions, helps us use our emotions to predict our future. Knowing our emotions helps us navigate through life. It helps to understand why we feel sad, angry, or giddy. For example, feeling angry because of bad traffic in the

The first branch, Perceiving (or identifying) Emotions, involves your ability to successfully read other people's emotions. It also includes your ability to express emotions accurately to others in order to be an effective communicator. The second branch, Facilitating Thought, or using emotions, involves using your emotions to get you in the mood.

In her study she found that the most important EQ-i factors related to transformational leadership were optimism, self-actualization, empathy, problem solving, and assertiveness. These results parallel and support the findings with leaders across a variety of different organizations and industries.

As a result of these and other studies with leaders, there is a special version of the EQ-i that looks specifically at leadership skills. One special feature is the breakdown of specific leadership skills into three areas. The first is people oriented. This looks at a leader's ability to motivate staff and work as a team. The second area is process

important work of building consensus follows hearing everyone out. Successful leaders, after ensuring they are aware of people's positions, both pro and con, use their skills to get everyone on board with whatever decision is made.

Finally, these leaders are composed under pressure.

Successful leaders are also straightforward and self-aware. People

The first pillar of leadership success involves being centered and grounded. High performers are in control of themselves. They are seen by people around them as having a stable mood and they don't fly off the handle when things get tough. You can predict how these leaders are going to react to things. You don't come in to work, say good morning,