Emotions And Cognitive Differences

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Currently, there are three general models defining the EI construct which can be categorized into either the “abilities” model or the “mixed” model. The “abilities” model (Salovey & Mayer) refers to EI as a cognitive ability, much alike that of IQ, whereas the “mixed” model (Bar-On; Goleman) refers to EI as a combination of cognitive ability and personality traits.

2.1.1 Peter Salovey and John Mayer Model (1997)
According to Salovey and Mayer, EI is defined as “the capacity to reason about emotions, and of emotions to enhance thinking. It includes the abilities to accurately perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth” (Mayer, Caruso & Salovey, 1999). Their model constitutes four branches (table 1):

Category Branches Properties
Experiential 1 Emotional Perception Recognize and express emotions precisely
2 Using Emotions to Facilitate Thought Use emotions to aid cognitive processing, e.g. prioritize thinking towards truly important matter, produce multiple perspectives, etc
Strategic 3 Understanding Emotions Understand messages, similarities and differences behind one’s emotions, complex emotions and transitions between messages
4 Managing Emotions Regulate emotions and not be controlled, being open and able to deal with any emotion, connect and disconnect at will so as to think and act rationally

2.1.2 Reuven Bar-On (2006)
The Bar-On model consists of “a cross-section of interrelated emotional and social competencies, skills and facilitators that determine how effectively we understand and express ourselves, understand others and relate with them, and cop...

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...ould a follower ask for help, a compassionate leader will help at all costs. But this removes the opportunity for a follower to grow and at the same time, might overwhelm the leader if he chooses to help even if he does not have the spare time to do so. As such, I will choose to “turn on” my compassionate empathy at appropriate times.

4. Limitations
With all that said, I wonder if there truly is a need for high EI at the highest level (Antonakis, 2004). For instance, if a general was highly sensitive and empathetic to casualties sustained in war, would he then not choose to surrender to prevent more deaths? What about in negotiations? What levels of empathy are required to ensure a win-win deal? Furthermore, having over-empathy can lead to dangerous over-altruism and emotional burnouts when a leader is expected to maintain a cool head especially in troubled times.

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