What it means to be emotionally and socially intelligent according to the Bar-On model

Consistent with the way this model is conceptualized, to be emotionally and socially intelligent is to effectively understand and express ourselves, to understand and relate well with others, and to successfully cope with daily demands, challenges and pressures. This is based, first and foremost, on our ability to be aware of ourselves, to understand our strengths and weaknesses, and to express our feelings and thoughts non-destructively.

On the interpersonal level, being emotionally and socially intelligent comprises the ability to be aware of others’ emotions, feelings and needs, and to establish and maintain cooperative, constructive and mutually satisfying relationships. Being emotionally and socially intelligent, ultimately, means to effectively manage personal, social and environmental change by realistically and flexibly coping with the immediate situation, solving personal and interpersonal problems and making decisions as the need arises. To do this, we need to manage emotions so that they work for us and not against us, and we need to be sufficiently optimistic, positive and self-motivated.