Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a science that has been studied and researched for over a decade. It can be defined as "the inner capacity to get optimal results in relationships with ourselves and others". Mutual respect and effective communication are key. A primary objective is that when people interact, each person derives optimum benefit from that interaction. Many believe that "emotional intelligence" matters much more than conventional intelligence.

You can do "emotional intelligence" tests in a similar way to IQ tests. Unlike IQ, most people can improve their EQ with training. There are over a thousand books readily available on "emotional intelligence", from www.amazon.com for example.

It is now being taught in some schools with amazing results, reducing bullying, crime and truancy etc. Some companies now provide emotional intelligence training for their employees with excellent benefits for productivity, efficiency and reducing stress levels.

Emotional literacy, emotional maturity, emotional fitness and emotional health are other terms related to emotional intelligence. EQ is sometimes referred to as EI.

People with low emotional intelligence commonly have personality disorders such as narcissism ("poor me") or are compulsive attention seekers. Internet trolls are a common and venomous bunch of bully attention seekers who love wrecking message boards on the internet. They like to sow confusion and discord. Understanding psychopathic (bullying) behaviour and EQ are entirely compatible, like two sides of the same coin.

Einstein had very high conventional intelligence but very poor emotional intelligence. For example, he used to abuse his wife like crazy.

Saddam Hussein is probably very intelligent in the conventional sense but he obviously put it to bad use (very poor EQ). It's not intelligence that matters most. It's what you do with the intelligence you have that matters more.

EQ has amazing potential in many contexts. For example:

• Non-psycho bullies can be reformed using EQ training. The damage caused by psycho bullies, who cannot be reformed, will be reduced if others are unwilling to cooperate with mobbing and doing his dirty work.
• There could be an "EQ Friendly" accreditation system for companies who only employ staff who reach a minimum EQ standard. These companies should then thrive commercially as they should be efficient and they can be viewed as trustworthy by the public. (The Investors in People scheme in the UK is just a public relations gimmick and has little or no substance.)
• EQ tests for job applicants could be used to ensure trustworthyness and integrity. This would be particularly useful, for example, with police force recruits, political candidates and where the job involves working with children. Psychometric testing is just not good enough.
• A job hunter's resume could prominently display his or her certified EQ rating.
• EQ could be used to reduce all forms of anti-social behaviour.
  

• EQ tests could be done for all school children. Those found to have poor EQ would need special attention to avoid major potential problems with that child later in life.


• If medical professionals had EQ training, they would be able to communicate better with their patients, reduce patient stress levels and there would be a better chance that any course of treatment would be correct.


• EQ tests could be done for all prospective magistrates or judges. If they have good EQ their judgments are likely to be impartial and balanced.


• EQ principles could be used as a basis for drawing up national and international constitutions and laws.

In my view, the most important thing is that people treat each other with mutual respect, for example with:

• teachers and pupils.
• parents and their offspring
• management and their workers

Any authoritarian approach can easily become a cover for bullying, causing stress and loss of self esteem to the target.

In any organisation there can be a complex network of bullying that may be interrelated. For example in a school there could be:

• the headteacher bullying a teacher
• a teacher bullying another teacher
• a teacher bullying a pupil
• a pupil bullying a teacher
• a pupil bullying another pupil
• a teacher bullying a dinner lady.

Bullying (and its associated mobbing) typically creates a toxic environment, which may remain even after a bully has departed the environment (known as "residual bullying"). The whole organisation may be dysfunctional in some way, thus allowing bullying incidents to readily breed. Teaching EQ to the whole organisation may provide the necessary holistic solution (here for example).