The question that seems to persist when it comes to intelligence is which aspect of it is more important in terms of predicting life success – emotional intelligence (EI) or intelligence quotient (IQ).
A person’s IQ is a measure of their relative intelligence, whereas their EQ (emotional quotient) is a measure of how accurately they identify and deal with their emotions and navigate those of others.
People with a high degree of emotional intelligence know what they’re feeling, what their emotions mean, and how these emotions can affect other people. Some key components of emotional intelligence include self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills.
Self-awareness involves the ability to recognize the ways in which our emotions impact our behavior and how we interact with, and relate to, others.
Self-regulation is the capacity to monitor and manage our emotions, thoughts and behaviors in healthy and functional ways, allowing us to reap results such as well-being, healthy relationships, growth and learning. How we regulate disruptive emotions and impulses influences how we perform in other areas of our lives.
Empathy refers to the ability to recognize emotions in other people and to understand their perspectives. At its most developed, empathy enables you to use that insight to improve someone else’s mood to support them through challenging situations. In a work environment, being empathetic allows for an understanding of different perspectives. Considering why someone may hold an opposing view can be especially useful when it comes to navigating disagreements and conflict resolution.
Social skills include both verbal and nonverbal means (gestures, body language, facial cues) of interacting with other people. They are highly valued in the work environment because they lead to better communication and promote a more positive company culture. Some companies even include EQ tests as part of their induction and hiring process.
Apart from a more comprehensive understanding of the attitudes and concerns of colleagues, EQ also helps people understand themselves. It allows people to play to their strengths while simultaneously diverting focus to areas where they may need development. This proves useful where relationships and business decisions are contingent on interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. It is also beneficial where diversity, inclusion and implicit biases are considered.
People with low EQ usually avoid taking responsibility for their role in conflict. They also have passive or aggressive communication styles, often refuse to work in a team or group setting and are overly critical of others and dismissive of their opinions. Those with high EQ, on the other hand, tend to resolve conflicts and problems more effectively, keep calm under high pressure situations and make better decisions. When interactions with other people are considered, they tend to listen, reflect, and respond to, as well as give constructive criticism.
