Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been an important and controversial topic during the last few decades. Its significance and its correlation with many domains of life has made it the subject of expert study. EI is the rudder for feeling, thinking, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In this article, we present an emotional–cognitive based approach to the process of gaining emotional intelligence and thus, we suggest a nine-layer pyramid of emotional intelligence and the gradual development to reach the top of EI.

Emotional intelligence constitutes an important 21st century skill that impacts positively several areas of everyday life. It contains competencies that enhance the ability of other significant skills for self-development. The main purpose of this study is to present the way we can develop and improve our emotional intelligence based on the pyramid model and its nine layers. To achieve this goal, the paper seeks to address the following question: What are the metacognitive and metaemotional skills and strategies that can play a key role in developing, enhancing and improving emotional intelligence?Extensive reference is made to the skills that involved in each layer and have been identified as necessary and should be cultivated by the individual leading gradually to the higher levels of self-actualization and transcendence. Furthermore, we suggest some strategies in each layer that work auxiliary and supportive for the cultivation of the specific skills.Metacognitive and metaemotional skills and strategies are necessary to conquer the levels of emotional intelligence and to apply in a variety of contexts with the aim of developing emotional intelligence and self-improvement.

Emotional intelligence is significant, and it is an integral key to successful intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. High emotional intelligence strengthens individuals with additional abilities and skills necessary in personal and working life. This study aims to develop Nine Layer Pyramid Model Questionnaire, a reliable and valid measurement instrument of emotional intelligence, based on the theoretical nine-layer pyramid model of emotional intelligence which illustrates hierarchically the abilities and skills that people need to possess to reach the top of emotional intelligence. Models of emotional intelligence and literature on it were investigated, and tool with 81 items was developed. The question items were in full correlation with the levels of the pyramid model. Data were collected through self-reports from 520 teachers from primary and secondary school grade. Results via statistical analysis indicated that the scale is a reliable and valid instrument in measuring emotional intelligence and showing which level they have achieved better and at which level improvements are needed.

Several years ago, a characteristic of leadership was the intelligence index, but in recent years this has changed, and emotional intelligence is considered an important parameter for a leader. A leader who shows a high index of emotional intelligence can activate his/her human potential and subsequently others. There is a large body of literature on “what” great leaders should do, but more emphasis needs to be placed on “how” to develop such leaders by focusing on detailed individual behavior change and self-development. The current article aims to investigate the concept of emotional intelligence and describe the levels of the emotional intelligence pyramid model and how these are reflected in the role of leadership. The theoretical model is complemented by a set of metacognitive and metaemotional strategies while emphasizing the role of technologies to provide fertile ground for the implementation of emotional intelligence skills in leadership. The strategies framework provides a training paradigm for implementation in education and working environments. The results of this article provide a new theoretical framework of the emotional skills a leader must possess, and they also provide a useful framework for cultivating them, which will promote long-term human capital development and help everyone achieve educational and professional success. The pyramid model of emotional intelligence and its strategies can have practical applications in any form of leadership, as research has shown a positive correlation between these two concepts.

Critical and stressful situations can emerge in many different forms in our daily life. Sometimes the stressful situations can be more serious in national or global level, such as natural disasters and diseases. In such a difficult and demanding situation, we were with the onset of the virus. At a time when the international medical scientific community is trying to deal with the new threat called Coronavirus, emotional intelligence is contributing decidedly to address this pandemic. Awareness, management, empathy, basic components of emotional intelligence, are especially important for people to control difficult situations as the one we are going through. The need for the development and cultivation of emotional intelligence from the very beginning, starting from the field of education, is strongly apparent so that the child and later the adult can cope with stressful situations. Studies have shown that people with high emotional intelligence can better manage and mitigate stress and adopt strategies of resilience and control.

Inclusive education is now firmly established as the main educational policy for children with special educational needs and disabilities, which emerges as the mean of creating an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided. However, there are concerns expressed on the effect of such a change in the educational system and on how possible it is to make this a reality. The concerns and objections of educators toward inclusion are mainly based on the diversity of learning disabilities, the learning outcomes that could be generated by applying this practice, and the lack of confidence of teachers to teach in an inclusive environment. In this study, we examine teachers’ attitudes toward inclusive education, while at the same time, we analyze current inclusive policies and practices in the Greek educational system. Results revealed that teachers have generally positive attitudes toward inclusion. However, they indicated some issues and barriers to the implementation of inclusion. We consider that policy-makers in Greece should target educator training and increase funding for education.