EQ It's not rocket science, and it doesn't have to elude you anymore. As much as 96% of our success in life and at work depends on emotional Intelligence--also known as horse sense, street smarts or good gut--and it can be learned and mastered. Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and take action based on the information carried by our emotions. The intelligence comes as we evolve through the four components: self-awareness, self-management, interpersonal connection, a.