Cart 0
The Bar-on EQ-I, is one of the best EQ assessments globally. Widely considered the gold standard in the psychological world, the instrument consists of an online assessment and feedback with a qualified psychologist who is also a registered Bar-on Practitioner. The value and validity of the assessment reveals competencies that can be developed and deepened. Developed by Professor Reuven Bar-on, is the only instrument recognised by the SA Medical and Dental Council.
The Bar- On model of emotional intelligence is based on an array of inter- related emotional and social competencies that determine how well we understand our emotions and express them to others. Most definitions comprise at least one of the following 5 clusters (all of which are included in the Bar- On Model ):
- The ability to understand and express one’s feelings.
- The ability to understand how others feel and relate with them.
- The ability to manage change, as well as solve problems of a personal and interpersonal nature, after considering all the cues in one’s environment.
- The ability to generate positive mood and be self- motivated. Without positive mood, the above abilities might never get implemented.
Enhancing Impulse Control
Impulse control is the ability to resist or delay an impulse, drive, or temptation to act. Impulse control entails a capacity for identifying your angry and aggressive impulses, being composed and putting the brakes on angry, aggressive hostile and irresponsible behavior. Problems in impulse control are manifested by low frustration tolerance, impulsiveness, anger-control problems, abusiveness, loss of self-control and explosive and unpredictable behavior. If impulse control works properly, feelings get stacked up on one side for a while. The impulse gate puts them on hold. We’re aware of them, but we don’t do much about them right away. Frustration, hostility, destructiveness and a host of other potentially wounding emotions are left to cool their heels. Can we work on our defective impulses? Yes, we can.
Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal relationships are the connections and interactions between two or more people. They involve communication, emotional exchange, mutual influence, and shared experiences. At their core, interpersonal relationships are built on communication, trust, respect, and emotional understanding. All aspects of Interpersonal relationships can be enhanced such as :-
- Improve Communication Skills
- Build Emotional Intelligence
- Show Appreciation
- Set Healthy Boundaries
- Resolve Conflicts Constructively
- Invest Time and Effort
Why Interpersonal Relationships Matter
- Improve mental health
- Reduce stress
- Increase happiness
- Enhance productivity (especially in workplace settings)
Enhancing Reality Testing
Reality Testing is the ability to accurately distinguish between what is happening in the external world and what is coming from your thoughts, emotions, or imagination. We will assist in enhancing your reality testing as follows:
- Pause and verify facts — Ask yourself: What evidence supports this?What might I be assuming?
- Seek external feedback — Check your perceptions with trusted people.
- Practice mindfulness — Stay grounded in present sensory experience.
- Challenge cognitive distortions — Notice patterns like catastrophizing or mind-reading.
- Keep a thought journal — Write down situations, your interpretation, and alternative explanations.
- Slow emotional reactions — Strong emotions can distort perception; take a breath before concluding.
- Use reality-based questions — e.g., Is there another explanation?What would an objective observer say?
Enhancing Self-Perception
Self-perception is the way you see, understand, and interpret yourself—your abilities, personality, emotions, values, and overall identity. It’s the internal picture you carry about “who I am.”
Psychologically, it includes:
- Self-image (how you view your traits and behaviors)
- Self-esteem (how you evaluate your worth)
- Self-awareness (how well you understand your thoughts and feelings)
Your self-perception shapes your confidence, decisions, relationships, and performance at work and in life. We explore strategies to build self-awareness, challenge negative self-talk, seek honest feedback, set and achieve small goals, align actions with values and practise mindfulness.
Enhancing Problem Solving
Problem solving is multiphasic in nature and includes the ability to apply the following:
- State the case
- Generating alternatives
- Evaluate each alternative
- Choose the best option
- Implement your solution
- Assess the outcome
Enhancing Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your own thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and their impact on others. This is a foundational element of emotional intelligence and enhances:
- Decision-making
- Strengthens relationships
- Helps regulate emotions
- Supports personal and professional growth
- Increases confidence and authenticity
We will enable you to reflect daily, ask for honest feedback, become aware of your thoughts and feelings, notice your emotional triggers, and practise mindfulness to raise your self-awareness to increase wins and rectify mistakes quickly.
Enhancing Empathy
Empathy is tuning in to what, how and why people feel and think the way they do. Empathetic people care about others and show interest in and concern for them. Empathy can shift conflicted relationships to collaboration.
The key to creating empathy is empathic listening. Asking questions takes the communication away from superficial concerns to focus on understanding more about the other person’s perspective. Empathy has little to do with objective truth, rather it hinges on grasping the other’s subjective truth.
Enhancing Happiness
Happiness is the ability to feel satisfied with your life, to enjoy yourself and others and to have fun. Happiness combines self-satisfaction, general contentment and the ability to enjoy life. Happy people often feel good and at ease in both work and leisure; able to enjoy the opportunities for having fun. Happiness is associated with a general feeling of cheerfulness and enthusiasm. It is a by-product and or barometric indicator of your overall degree of emotional intelligence and emotional functioning. A person who demonstrates a low degree of this component may possess symptoms of depression, such as a tendency to worry, uncertainty about the future, social withdrawal, lack of drive, depressive thoughts, feelings of guilt, dissatisfaction with life and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Happiness is not an isolated ability. It influences and is influenced by other abilities such as reality testing, self-regard and self-actualization.
Enhancing Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is the ethical principle that individuals, businesses, and organizations have a duty to act in ways that benefit society as a whole—not just themselves. It means making decisions that consider the social, environmental, and economic impact on others. In simple terms – Do what’s good for people, the community, and the planet—what’s profitable or convenient.
At the IE Group, we can enhance your SR by raising your awareness of your impact, waste, recycling, conservation and energy. Enable you to speak respectfully to promote fairness, inclusion and kindness in daily life, how to stay informed and how to adopt ethical practices that help and don’t harm your world and those around you.
