What is Emotional Savvy? | Psychology Today

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In today’s world, success often depends not only on what we say but also on our ability to communicate effectively using verbal and nonverbal cues. Emotional knowledge, sometimes called emotional acuity, a key aspect of emotional intelligence, is essential for interpreting and managing these cues in ourselves and others. Emotional knowledge is more than just recognizing emotions; it involves understanding, processing, and regulating emotions with great skill in order to improve communication, deepen relationships, and achieve success. This post explores what emotional knowledge means, how it relates to nonverbal communication, and how mastering it can set you up for success.

Emotional Knowledge Definition

Emotional knowledge or capacity refers to a person’s ability to perceive, interpret, and manage emotions effectively (Mayer & Salovey, 1997). This concept can be divided into four basic components:

1. Perception of emotions: The ability to recognize emotions in oneself and others, especially from nonverbal signals such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language (Ekman, 1992).

2. Facilitating Thinking Through Emotions: Emotions can guide decision-making and problem-solving. For example, anxiety may cause someone to prepare more thoroughly, while excitement may promote creativity (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004).

3. Understanding emotions: The ability to understand emotional language and recognize how emotions change over time. For example, recognizing that frustration can lead to anger is an important skill (Barrett, Mesquita, & Gendron, 2011).

4. Managing emotions: The ability to regulate emotions, both one’s own and those of others, to achieve desired outcomes in personal and professional interactions (Gross, 2015).

These four elements are integral to navigating our social world and interacting with others. People who are emotionally literate build stronger relationships, manage conflict, and deal with challenges more effectively.

The role of nonverbal communication in emotional development

Nonverbal communication is a fundamental aspect of emotional skills. Research indicates that nonverbal cues—such as facial expressions, body language, eye contact, and gestures—often communicate more than words alone (Mehrabian, 1971). This emotional skill helps individuals read these cues and adjust their responses accordingly.

For example, eye contact is a key indicator of confidence and trustworthiness. Maintaining consistent eye contact can make a person seem more trustworthy, while avoiding eye contact can signal discomfort or dishonesty (Burgoon, Guerrero, & Floyd, 2016). Similarly, hand gestures and posture also send powerful messages. Open, relaxed body language conveys openness and engagement, while crossed arms or a hunched posture can signal defensiveness or withdrawal. People with high emotional intelligence can interpret these nonverbal signals in personal relationships and professional settings to improve their communication and foster stronger connections.

Emotional Knowledge and Career Success

Emotional knowledge plays a key role in professional success, especially in areas that require collaboration, leadership, and communication. For example, emotional knowledge often separates great leaders from average ones. Leaders with high emotional skills can recognize when a team member is stressed or overwhelmed and respond with empathy to support their needs, creating a more positive and productive work environment (Goleman, 1998).

In addition, in fields such as sales and marketing, emotional intelligence is key to reading customers’ emotions and adapting strategies to their needs. For example, a salesperson who can sense a customer’s hesitation can change their approach to address the issues, increasing the likelihood of a sale (Kidwell, Hardesty, & Childers, 2008). This ability to interpret and respond to emotional cues leads to higher success rates in customer interactions and broader marketing strategies.

Consequences of lack of emotional knowledge

On the other hand, low levels of emotional literacy can lead to serious challenges in both personal and professional life. People who have trouble perceiving and managing emotions may misinterpret nonverbal signals, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and frustration. For example, a manager who fails to recognize stress signals from his employees may push them too hard, leading to burnout or withdrawal (Ashkanasy & Daus, 2002).

Similarly, people with low emotional skills may have difficulty responding empathetically in interpersonal relationships, which can erode trust and weaken bonds over time (Brackett, Rivers, & Salovey, 2011). In professional settings, this can lead to lower job satisfaction, reduced teamwork, and even a lack of career advancement.

Improving Your Emotional Knowledge

The good news is that emotional skills are not a static trait—they can be developed and strengthened through practice. Here are some evidence-based strategies for improving emotional skills:

1. Practice active listening: Focusing not only on words but also on nonverbal cues such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language can help you better understand the emotions behind the message (Gordon, 2003).

2. Reflect on your emotions: Self-awareness is a key aspect of emotional knowledge. Reflecting on your own emotional reactions can help you regulate them more effectively and respond to others with greater empathy (Schutte, Malouff, & Thorsteinsson, 2013). Try some of the self-reflection exercises offered in my book on mirror meditation.

3. Search for reviews: Ask colleagues, friends, or mentors for feedback on how you handle emotions in different situations. This can provide valuable insights into areas for development (Caruso, Mayer, & Salovey, 2002).

4. Mindful communication: Practicing mindfulness can help improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and increase empathy, which are key to developing emotional capacities (Keng, Smoski, & Robins, 2011).

By understanding the importance of nonverbal communication and improving your emotional skills, you can develop the self-confidence that will open up new opportunities for personal and professional development.

Written in collaboration with Audrey Sun.