Most of us have been conditioned to believe that emotions are not welcome in the workplace; that team and work decisions should be based upon cold, logical reason.   Leadership research tells us that the lack of interpersonal skills and the inability to adapt are the two principal derailment factors in careers.   Today there is a growing body of science, indicating that proper understanding and use of emotions can be critical in helping us become more effective workers and better communicators.   Like it or not, leaders need to manage the mood of their organizations. The most gifted leaders accomplish that by using a mysterious blend of psychological abilities known as emotional intelligence.   What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)   Emotional intelligence includes:   (1) The ability to be aware of, to understand, and to express oneself; (2) The ability to be aware of, to understand and relate to others; (3) The ability to deal with strong emotions and control one's impulses; and (4) ... Read more