The concept of high emotional intelligence is about not speaking in absolutes. Chinese actor Huang Bo is renowned in the entertainment industry for his high emotional intelligence. During an interview on the TV show Character, he candidly shared his personality weaknesses.
When asked about the public’s perception of his high emotional intelligence, one might have expected Huang Bo to respond with his usual humor and wit. Instead, he answered earnestly: “The truth is, it’s not like that at all. Sometimes, so-called high emotional intelligence is about not wanting to hurt others. Also, I’m not impulsive or aggressive; there’s a softness in my character, so I don’t like to speak absolutes.”
A series of high emotional intelligence moments
Because he doesn’t want to hurt others, Huang Bo has exhibited a series of behaviors praised as high emotional intelligence. For instance, while filming with Yan Ni, she joked: “I used to act with handsome guys, but now that I’m playing your wife, I know I’m joining the ranks of the not-so-attractive stars!” Instead of getting angry, Huang Bo cleverly replied: “I think acting with you is my step into the handsome guys’ league.” His words turned into a compliment for her.
Acknowledging others while staying humble
Once, a reporter asked Huang Bo if he thought he could replace the famous actor Ge You. Huang Bo responded: “This era won’t stop you from shining, but you can’t overshadow anyone’s brilliance. Ge You was a pioneer in Chinese cinema and a trailblazer. We’re the next generation moving forward, so do not be presumptuous.” His words were humble yet assertive, acknowledging Ge You’s contributions while affirming the power of hard work.
Touching words on a variety show
On a variety show, supermodel and actress Lin Chi-ling “married” Huang Bo as part of the program. The show asked Huang Bo to say something to her, and he spontaneously said: “You’ve portrayed countless love stories. I hope one day I can see a genuine smile on your face, not one from a script.” His words moved Lin Chi-ling to tears. She later publicly stated that she would look for a partner modeled after Huang Bo.
Handling criticism with grace
Recently, during a promotional event for the film Learn from Dad, an audience member questioned Huang Bo about why the film Mozart from Outer Space was poorly received. The film, starring Huang Bo in 2022, received a low rating of 4.3 on Douban and grossed only 220 million yuan, a stark contrast to his previous works. Upon hearing the criticism, Huang Bo’s first reaction was to say: “Thank you.” Then he explained: “When audiences speak up, it shows they still care about me. Sometimes they wonder: ‘Why would you do this?’ because they have certain expectations of you.”
He continued, saying that as an actor, one can’t always stay in the same place and must try different genres, regardless of success. He acknowledged that everyone faces mistakes and choices, and every step forward could be a crossroads. He knows why he makes each choice, understanding that the process involves gains and losses. Huang Bo concluded: “People can’t always be on an uphill path. Ups and downs are part of life.”
A formula for high emotional intelligence
Huang Bo’s calm explanation of why he starred in a poorly received film was met with thunderous applause, impressing everyone present. Netizens summarized his “high emotional intelligence” response with a formula: “Acknowledge the other person + express their expectations + share your perspective + show gratitude.”
This minor incident highlights Huang Bo’s high emotional intelligence and quick wit. Often, a person’s IQ determines their lower limit, but their emotional intelligence determines their upper limit. High emotional intelligence is about language, skills, depth, and character. Indeed, emotionally intelligent people may not always be eloquent, but they have a soft heart and don’t wish to hurt others.
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