One thing that was new and a surprise to me from the EI/Soft Skills materials is the concept of emotional intelligence (EI). This concept deals with how one interacts with people in their daily life and how they manage their emotions. It is an important set of skills which can be used to improve communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

The idea behind EI is that there are certain characteristics within each individual that can be identified and developed in order for them to become more emotionally aware, self-aware, and resilient when faced with difficult situations. It focuses on identifying our own feelings as well as others’ needs, exploring methods for managing our emotions in both positive and negative circumstances, learning effective ways of communicating with others, developing empathy towards those around us, and finally understanding the importance of self-care.