I’m currently reading, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. The book talks about how important emotional intelligence (EQ) is to career success, even more important than IQ. Included in the book is a password to an online assessment which measures your emotional intelligence (EQ) in four areas: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. The book also shares strategies for developing these four areas.

IQ has been long thought to be a key factor in a person’s career success. However, according to Bradberry and Greaves, EQ plays a more prominent role in how successful someone is in the workplace. Research has found that people with the highest levels of intelligence (IQ) outperform those with average IQs just 20% of the time, while people with average IQs outperform those with high IQs 70% of the time. This revelation by scientists led to the realization that there must be another variable that explained success other than IQ. Research also indicates that “90% of high performers are also high in EQ. And, people with high EQs earn an average of $29K more per year than people with low EQs.”

In an article titled, Distinctions: EQ v. IQ, Susan Dunn, MA writes, “EQ gets you through life vs. IQ gets you through school.” The article illustrates an example of someone with a high IQ and someone with a high EQ. The person with a high IQ was analytical and logical and could learn new things quickly. However, he ignored how he and others were feeling and would lose his temper when others wouldn’t do what he expected them to do. This behavior resulted in his inability to be effective in team situations. The person with a high EQ got along well with others and managed his emotions well making him highly effective in his work. While there were others in the firm with higher IQs, this individual was able to influence and motivate people because he understood what mattered to them and was an excellent communicator.

The above two examples highlight the important role EQ plays in the workplace. In Emotional Intelligence 2.0, the authors elaborate on the four key areas that comprise EQ. Below is a description of each and what can result from developing each of the areas.

The authors point out that “Self-awareness is your ability to accurately perceive your own emotions in the moment and understand your tendencies across situations.” A higher self-awareness will often keep you from doing something that you’ll later regret. Developing self-awareness will allow you to be clear in understanding what you do well, what motivates and satisfies you, and which people and situations push your buttons.

According to Bradberry and Greaves, “Self-management is your ability to use your awareness of your emotions to stay flexible and direct your behavior positively.” Being high in this area will allow you to manage your emotional reactions to situations and people. 

Social awareness, according to the authors, is your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people and understand what is really going on with them. It’s basically being able to listen and observe what’s going on with others. If you're high in this area, you're able to understand people's emotions while right in the middle of it.

Relationship management is your ability to use your awareness of your own emotions and those of others to manage interactions successfully. It’s also the bond you build with others over time. Building strong connections at work can help you to manage conflict better during stressful situations. 

The good news is that unlike IQ, which is fairly fixed, you can develop your EQ skills. And, as research indicates, EQ is a better indicator of career success than IQ anyway. 

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"Emotional competence is the single most important personal quality that each of us must develop and access to experience a breakthrough.  Only through managing our emotions can we access our intellect and our technical competence. An emotionally competent person performs better under pressure." 

                       - Dave Lennick, Executive VP, American Express Financial Advisers