We define emotional intelligence as the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions.
Why emotional intelligence is necessary to act intelligent
Emotions steer our life, it does not matter if we want it or not. Sometimes we feel great happiness and sometimes we feel like victims. Emotional intelligence is more than understanding other people, it is the powerful combination of head and heart.