Self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills are all barometers that indicate high or low EQ levels. At first glance, on the surface, it is easy to underestimate how the mastery of these types of skills can literally change your life in a very significant way. Granted, some people are naturally more empathetic or self-aware based on inherent genetics, childhood upbringing, or conditioning. Others need to work at perfecting emotional intelligence.