Increase your emotional intelligence with this free online course and learn how to control your feelings and reactions.

This practical psychology course teaches you how to develop your emotional intelligence (EI), which is an important component of personal and professional success and widely recognised as a necessary skill for individuals and organisations to thrive. EI (also known as ‘emotional quotient’ or ‘EQ’) refers to our ability to effectively recognise, understand and manage our own emotions and our reactions to the emotions of others. We begin with an overview of EI and its four domains. The course explains how to recognise and interpret your inner monologue to help you understand the factors driving your feelings and reactions. We then demonstrate how to identify potential dangers and de-escalate situations as part of conflict management before highlighting the benefits of ‘taking a pause’ before reacting to external stimuli.

The course then describes the impact of stress in the workplace and provides various techniques used to heighten EI and help workers and organisations manage stress and build up their resilience to setbacks and the unwelcome feelings they bring. We examine common signs of depression and anxiety and outline how to take effective steps to manage them. EI is a critical component of leadership success and allows leaders to connect with others, manage relationships effectively and navigate difficult workplace situations with grace and empathy. Leaders with high levels of EI can foster a culture of trust, respect and collaboration that benefits their teams, stakeholders and organisation.

This course is ideal for managers and anyone in positions of leadership but also suits anyone who wants to improve their interpersonal skills and emotional wellbeing. We show you how to develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy and social skills, all of which can contribute to greater success and wellbeing in various aspects of life. The skills provided in this self-improvement course can be employed to manage conflict, stress and anxiety as heightened EI allows you to understand and manage your emotions and your reactions to the actions and feelings of others.