Emotional intelligence has been present in some of the best moments in human history. When Martin Luther King presented his dream, he chose a language that stirred the hearts of his audience. Such an electrifying message requires the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions. Martin Luther King demonstrated remarkable skill in managing his own emotions and in turn managed to thrill his audience.
Another of the most influential leaders of the 20th century recognized the power of emotions and studied the emotional effects of his body language. This allowed him to become an absolutely fascinating public speaker. His name was Adolf Hitler.
Since the 1995 publication of the bestseller Emotional Intelligence By Daniel Goleman, this emotional aspect of intelligence has been viewed by politicians and educators as the solution to a wide range of social problems. If we can teach our children to handle emotions they will have greater emotional well-being. If we can cultivate emotional intelligence among leaders and doctors, we will have a more caring society and more compassionate healthcare.
Emotional intelligence is important but it has a dark side. When people improve their emotional skills, they become more adept at manipulating others. When you are good at controlling your own emotions, you can hide your true feelings. When you know what others are feeling, you can tug at their heartstrings and motivate them to act against their own best interests.
Social scientists have begun to document this dark side of emotional intelligence. An investigation showed that when a leader gave an emotionally charged speech, the audience remembered less of the content of the speech. The authors called it awestruck effect ('astonished effect').
Hitler's persuasion was based on his strategic ability to tear the hearts of his audience. and nullified any kind of critical thinking against his speech.
Leaders who dominate emotions can rob us of our ability to reason. If their values are out of step with ours, the results can be devastating. When people have selfish motives, emotional intelligence becomes a weapon to manipulate others.
Of course, people don't always use emotional intelligence for nefarious purposes. They use their emotional skills as instrumental tools for goal achievement. This good part of emotional intelligence is what should be taught in schools in a regulated way.
Interesting article, even more the idea of introducing it as a subject in schools, with this we will have future generations more assertive, happy and confident to go on the path that will bring them personal and professional satisfaction.