What Is Emotional Savvy?

The ability to recognize and understand emotions can set you up for success.

Reviewed by Margaret Foley

In today’s world, success often hinges not just on what we say but on our ability to communicate effectively through both verbal and nonverbal cues. Emotional savvy, sometimes called emotional ability, a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence, is key to interpreting and managing these cues in ourselves and others. Emotional savvy is more than just recognizing emotions; it involves understanding, processing, and regulating emotions with great skill to enhance communication, deepen relationships, and achieve success. This post explores what emotional savvy entails, its link to nonverbal communication, and how mastering it can set you up for success.

Defining Emotional Savvy

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

1. Perceiving Emotions: The ability to recognize emotions in oneself and others, especially through nonverbal cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language (Ekman, 1992).

2. Facilitating Thought Through Emotions: Emotions can guide decision-making and problem-solving. For instance, anxiety might push someone to prepare more thoroughly, while excitement could foster creativity (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2004).

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

4. Managing Emotions: The ability to regulate emotions, both in yourself and 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. Individuals who possess emotional savvy build stronger relationships, manage conflicts, and handle challenges more effectively.

The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Emotional Savvy

Nonverbal communication is a fundamental aspect of emotional ability. Research indicates that nonverbal cues—such as facial expressions, body language, eye contact, and gestures—often communicate more than words themselves (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 steady eye contact can make a person seem more credible, while avoiding it may signal discomfort or dishonesty (Burgoon, Guerrero, & Floyd, 2016). Similarly, hand gestures and posture also send strong messages. Open, relaxed body language conveys openness and engagement, whereas crossed arms or slouched posture can signal defensiveness or disengagement. People with high emotional savvy can interpret these nonverbal signals in personal relationships and professional settings to enhance their communication and foster stronger connections.

Emotional Savvy and Professional Success

Emotional savvy plays a critical role in professional success, particularly in areas that require collaboration, leadership, and communication. For instance, emotional savvy is often what distinguishes great leaders from average ones. Leaders with high emotional ability can recognize when a team member is stressed or overwhelmed and respond with empathy to support their needs, fostering a more positive and productive work environment (Goleman, 1998).

Additionally, in fields like sales and marketing, emotional savvy is crucial for reading customer emotions and adjusting strategies to meet their needs. For instance, a salesperson who can sense a customer’s hesitation might shift their approach to address concerns, 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 Savvy

On the flip side, low emotional savvy can lead to significant challenges in both personal and professional settings. Individuals who struggle to perceive and manage emotions may misinterpret nonverbal cues, leading to misunderstandings, conflict, and frustration. For instance, a manager who cannot recognize stress signals from their employees may push them too hard, resulting in burnout or disengagement (Ashkanasy & Daus, 2002).

Similarly, people with low emotional skills may find it challenging to respond empathetically in interpersonal relationships, which can erode trust and weaken connections over time (Brackett, Rivers, & Salovey, 2011). In professional environments, this can lead to lower job satisfaction, reduced team collaboration, and even failure to advance in one’s career.

Improving Your Emotional Savvy

The good news is that emotional ability is not a fixed trait—it can be developed and strengthened with practice. Here are some evidence-based strategies to improve emotional ability:

1. Practice Active Listening: Focusing on not just words, but also nonverbal cues like tone, 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 savvy. Reflecting on your own emotional responses can help you regulate them more effectively and respond to others with greater empathy (Schutte, Malouff, & Thorsteinsson, 2013). Try some self-reflection exercises offered in my book on mirror meditation.

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

4. Mindful Communication: Practicing mindfulness can help improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and increase empathy, which are all crucial for developing emotional ability (Keng, Smoski, & Robins, 2011).

By recognizing the importance of nonverbal communication and refining your emotional skills, you can develop confidence that unlocks new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Written in collaboration with Audrey Sun.

Copyright 2024 Tara Well, PhD