Goleman's foundational EQ model identifies five core competencies, divided between intrapersonal (self-focused) and interpersonal (others-focused) skills. The first three, namely self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation, are personal competencies, while empathy and social skills are social competencies directed outward toward other people.
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions, moods, drives, and their effects on others. It includes knowing your strengths and weaknesses, having a realistic self-assessment, and holding a confident sense of self-worth. Self-regulation is the ability to control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods, to think before acting, and to maintain composure under pressure. Motivation in this model refers to an inner drive to pursue goals with energy and persistence, fueled more by passion and a desire for achievement than by external rewards like money or status.
The two interpersonal competencies complete the model. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, recognizing their emotional states, considering their perspectives, and responding with care. Social skills involve managing relationships and building networks effectively, encompassing communication, conflict management, leadership, collaboration, influence, and the ability to find common ground and build rapport. Together, these five components provide a complete framework for navigating emotional life at work and beyond.