12 Signs You Have High Emotional Intelligence

1) You make people feel heard
Ex: A friend shares a problem, you paraphrase it back, and they reply, “YES, exactly!”

2) You understand what’s outside your control
Ex: When a flight is canceled, you calmly rebook and make alternate plans instead of dwelling on it

3) You take responsibility for your emotions
Ex: After snapping at someone, you quickly apologize and own that you acted in the heat of the moment

4) You sense others’ emotions
Ex: You notice a coworker is quieter than usual and ask, “Is everything okay?”

5) You recognize your triggers
Ex: You realize you’re getting irritated in meetings when others interrupt you, and you calmly address it

6) You offer support without judgment
Ex: When a colleague shares a mistake they made, you respond, “Everyone messes up – how can I help you fix it?”

7) You know whether someone needs space or support
Ex: A family member seems upset, and instead of pushing them to talk, you say “I’m here when you’re ready”

8) You stay calm when stressed
Ex: During a tense situation, you take a deep breath and suggest taking a brief pause to regroup

9) You offer guidance without tearing others down
Ex: Instead of saying, “This is wrong,” you say, “This part could be improved by doing X”

10) You don’t take things personally
Ex: When a coworker snaps at you, you think, “They’re probably having a bad day,” instead of feeling hurt

11) You bring people together
Ex: At a party, you introduce two guests with shared interests, “You both love hiking – you should compare trails!”

12) You bounce back from setbacks
Ex: After a business pitch is rejected, you analyze the feedback and improve for the next one


Emotional intelligence is a superpower,

And it shows up in almost all high performers.