Emotional Intelligence Model

The mixed model of emotional intelligence postulated by Goleman (1995) is also known as emotional intelligence theory of performance because the model consists of sets of competences and skills that drive organisational performance and leadership performance. These sets of skills or competences which are the constructs or clusters of the model are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management.

1. Self-awareness: This construct encompasses self-confidence, self-assessment, self-deprecating sense of humour and thirst for constructive criticism. It is the ability to read and understand one’s emotion in view of its strength, weakness, values and goals as well as recognising their impacts on others. Singh (2010)

Mayer, Salovey & Caruso (2008) state that the ability based model views emotions as useful sources of information that help one to make sense of and navigate the social environment. The model proposes that individuals vary in their ability to process information of an emotional nature and in their ability to relate emotional processing to a wider cognition. They divide the abilities and skills of EI into four areas, constructs or branches which is known as the four-branch ability model of emotional intelligence which are:

• Perceiving Emotions: This is the first and fundamental branch ability in the model which makes the others possible. It is connotes the ability to identify one’s emotions as well as detect and decipher emotions in faces, voices, pictures, symbols, expressions, artifacts and postural or body expressions.

• Using emotions: It is the ability to harness perceived emotions to facilitate various cognitive activities such as thinking, creativity and problem solving. This also connotes an ability to capitalise fully upon one’s changing moods in order to best fit the task at hand. At this level of emotional ability, emotions can be used for general management (like planning, coordinating and control), leadership performance, enhancing productivity among

The cornerstone model of emotional intelligence proposes four constructs known as cornerstones to explain the concept of emotions. These four cornerstones are emotional literacy, emotional fitness, emotional depth and emotional alchemy.

• Emotional literacy: this entails the knowledge of one’s emotion and how it functions. It builds a locus of personal efficacy and confidence through emotional honesty, energy, awareness, feedback, intuition, responsibility and connection.

• Emotional fitness: it involves emotional hardiness and flexibility which builds one’s authenticity, believability and resilience, expanding one’s circle of trust and one’s capacity for listening, managing conflict and making the most constructive discontent.

• Emotional depth: It involves emotional intensity and potential for growth which explores ways to align one’s life and work with the unique potential and purpose, and to back this with integrity, commitment and accountability, which, in turn increase one’s influence without