The 7 Selves: Your Roadmap to Improving Emotional Intelligence

The 7 Selves: Your Roadmap to Improving Emotional Intelligence
A stock photo of emotions emoticons. Mizkit/Shutterstock
Entrepreneur
Updated:
By Stu Sjouwerman
High performers typically have good emotional intelligence (EQ)—research proves that. And, as you move higher and higher in an organization, the level of your EQ has an increasingly positive general influence. So, if you want to do well, climb the ladder and support your organization as a true team player, building your EQ isn’t an option. It’s a necessity.
To discover the current level of your EQ and what you can do to improve it, understanding your “seven selves” is key.

The Seven Selves 101

The seven selves everyone has and can strengthen for better emotional intelligence include:

Self-Image

What you think of your own personality, abilities, and how you appear to others.

Self- and Social Awareness

Self-awareness, which is internally focused, is consciousness in the present moment about everything that makes you you, such as your normal behaviors or goals. Social awareness, which is externally focused, is how well you pick up on and understand social dynamics and the feelings of others.

Self-Reflection

The ability to look back and think about your nature, motivations, and what you’ve done.

Self-Discipline

The ability to keep ego/emotions from taking over and create/stick to a game plan.

Self-Management

Taking responsibility for and directing your own behavior.

Self-Disclosure

Revealing things about yourself (e.g., thoughts, successes, likes, mistakes) to others.

Self-Development

Gaining knowledge or skills to improve yourself.
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