Emotional Intelligence: Self-Awareness

Self-Awareness: the ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others (Goleman, 2004, p. 88). The following are key indicators of self-awareness.

  • Self-confidence
  • Realistic self-assessment
  • Self-deprecating sense of humor

Self-awareness is the basis for the other components of emotional intelligence. It refers to a person's capacity for being aware of how they are feeling. In general, more self-awareness allows a person to more effectively guide their own lives and behaviors (Griffin & Moorhead, 2007, p. 65).

Being aware of emotions requires reflection. If one learns to pause, to focus inward, and to seek one's emotions, one can become more aware of them. You might begin asking yourself several times during a normal day, "What am I feeling now?" If you question yourself frequently for a week, you will probably be able to notice what you feel more readily. Then the challenge--one accepted by people with high emotional intelligence--is to manage those emotions in a more positive way. People who develop a high emotional intelligence do not yield to their emotions easily--rather they seek to manage them (Clawson, 2009, p. 176).

 The Emotional Competence Framework: Self-Awareness ("EI Framework," n.d., p. 1)

Emotional awareness: Recognizing ones emotions and their effects. People with this competence:

  • Know which emotions they are feeling and why
  • Recognize how their feelings affect their performance
  • Have a guiding awareness of their values and goals

Accurate self-assessment: Knowing ones strengths and limits. People with this competence are:

  • Aware of their strengths and weaknesses
  • Reflective, learning from experience
  • Open to candid feedback, new perspectives, continuous learning, and self-development
  • Able to show a sense of humor and perspective about themselves

Self-confidence: Sureness about ones self-worth and capabilities. People with this competence:

  • Present themselves with self-assurance; have "presence"
  • Can voice views that are unpopular and go out on a limb for what is right
  • Are decisive, able to make sound decisions despite uncertainties and pressures