Emotions. They’re complicated.

On one hand, they’re a natural and vital part of our lives. They motivate us, regulate us, empower us. But they can also limit us greatly—if we don’t understand the effect they have on us and others.

So how do we improve our emotional intelligence, that ability to understand emotions, and then use that knowledge to guide our thinking and behavior?

Take a look at the following 11 behaviors, and see how many you can incorporate into your life.

via 11 Ways Emotionally Intelligent People Communicate Better Than the Rest of Us.