DEFINITION:
The term “social intelligence” refers to the personality trait consisting of the ability of an individual to grasp, empathize with, and appropriately respond to the emotions of other people.
In other words, “social intelligence” is the ability to act wisely in the realm of human relations.
ETYMOLOGY:
The origin of the phrase “social intelligence” is most-often attributed to the American psychologist Edward L. Thorndike (1874–1949), specifically, in his popular article “Intelligence and Its Uses” (Harper’s Monthly Magazine, 140: 227–235), published in 1920.
The English word “social” is attested from the seventeenth century. It derives from the Classical Latin adjective sociālis, meaning “belonging to a partner or ally,” which is connected to the substantive adjective socius, meaning “partner,” “companion,” or “ally.” Socius, in turn, is connected to the deponent verb sequor, sequi, meaning “to follow” or “to accompany.”
The English noun “intelligence” is attested from the fourteenth century. It derives, via Middle English and Middle French, from the Classical Latin present participle intellegens, intellegentis—meaning “understanding something,” “acquainted with something” or “intelligent”—of the verb intellego, intellegere, meaning “to distinguish,” “to perceive,” or “to discriminate.”
DISCUSSION:
“Social intelligence” is crucial for personal success in all aspects of an individual’s life. It is a learned skill that develops from experience with other people in the social world.
In other words, “social intelligence” is acquired through a developmental process consisting of success and failure in social interactions.
The reason why “social intelligence” is so important in the setting of the workplace is that the ability to deal prudently with other people’s emotions, as well as one’s own, greatly facilitates the fulfillment of one’s personal and professional goals.