"Emotional intelligence" is a term of art in current year psychology.
In plain English they mean fashionable empathy, but that doesn't carry the same cache of scientific rigor. 
“Emotional intelligence” is about as real as big foot.
Back in the ‘60s and 70’s “emotional intelligence” was considered manipulation.
I got fairly good at it. As recently as yesterday, my neighbor Mary, told me that the new guy, Mark, let his dog run around without a leash and poop on the lawn. They called the property manager but she ever did anything about it. Mark called them f’ing c’nts for doing that.
I ran into Mark yesterday. Dog was on leash. “Mark, I haven’t seen you for so long, I thought you moved.. Good to see you. “
Big smile from Mark.
“my cat Daisy just turned 9, a senior citizen. She likes to go out in the yard, but I’m afraid she’d get hurt if your dog chases her.”
“I know she goes out, I’ve seen her sitting right over there.”
“Blackie (cat) sits there too. They’re friends.”
My dog won’t go over there, I’ll keep her on hier leash.”
BTW, his dog is a huge bulldog, happiest dog I’ve ever seen, literally smiles all the time. Her name is Ginger and she answers to it—in ordinary circumstances.
I don’t really give a hoot whether this is manipulation or emotional intelligence. If it keeps my kitty safe, I’m happy.
"Emotional intelligence" is a term of art in current year psychology.
In plain English they mean fashionable empathy, but that doesn't carry the same cache of scientific rigor.