Social Intelligence
"I am aware of and understand my feelings and thoughts, as well as the feelings of those around me."
Become Aware Of Your Strength
What is Social Intelligence?
When a person knows what makes other people tick, he or she is displaying social intelligence. They’re aware of the motives and feelings of themselves and others, and how to fit into different social situations. They can feel comfortable and say the right thing whether they’re in the boardroom or the janitorial room, in a school setting or at a construction site. Social intelligence involves two general components:
Social awareness: what we sense about others
Social facility: what we do with our awareness
Social Intelligence is a strength within the virtue category of humanity, one of six virtues that subcategorize the 24 strengths. Humanity describes strengths that manifest in caring relationships with others. These strengths are interpersonal and are mostly relevant in one-on-one relationships. The other strengths in Humanity are kindness, love, and social intelligence.
Explore and Apply Your Strength
Where does social intelligence appear in your character strengths profile?
Science says that social intelligence contributes to a high level of comfort across a variety of social situations, opening opportunities for meeting new people and participating in new experiences. The ability to recognize feelings both in yourself and in others has been connected with better mental and physical health, work performance, and social relationships. Learn how to activate this strength and all of your other signature strengths with your personalized Total 24 Report.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Social Intelligence
- How is social intelligence different from emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence focuses on identifying and managing your own emotions, while social intelligence includes that ability and extends it to understanding and managing relationships and interactions. Social intelligence traits emphasize awareness, behavior, and effective response in social situations.
- Why is social intelligence important for leadership and management?
Leaders with strong character strengths like social intelligence are better equipped to build trust, improve communication, and reflect emotional understanding within teams. This trait supports positive behavior, fosters collaboration, and increases the effect of leadership actions.
- What are the key traits of social intelligence?
Key social intelligence traits include social awareness, empathy, emotional attunement, strong communication skills, and the ability to respond appropriately in various interpersonal situations. These traits reflect a character-based approach to relationships and are crucial for success in both personal and professional interactions.
- How can I develop or improve my social intelligence character strength?
actively appreciate others' perspectives. Taking consistent action to improve communication, emotional awareness, and empathy can build stronger character strengths over time.
- How is social intelligence measured in the VIA test?
The VIA personality characteristics test identifies this strength by evaluating your social awareness, communication approach, and emotional responses. Your Total 24 Character Strengths Report provides insight into how social intelligence shows up in your daily life and how to take action to appreciate and improve it.