Intelligence Quotient (IQ) has been for long wrongly assumed to be the sole denominator of intelligence, but today, Emotional Quotient (EQ) is considered even more important than IQ. Prof. VGT explains just what emotional intelligence (EI) is and how it’s significant.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and regulate one’s emotions and understand the emotions of others. A high EQ helps you to build relationships, reduce team stress, defuse conflict and improve job satisfaction. Ultimately, a high EI means having the potential to increase team productivity and staff retention.
The philosopher Aristotle described what it means to be emotionally intelligent hundreds of years before the term became popular. He said:
The quote perfectly sums up a concept that has become a hot topic in psychology, education, and business: emotional intelligence.
Emotionally intelligent people have several habits and behaviours that contribute to their ability to manage their own emotions and understand the feelings of others.
Do you know anyone who is keenly attuned to their own feelings, capable of expressing emotions in an appropriate way, as well as empathetic and understanding of how others are feeling? That person is probably a very emotionally intelligent individual.
Emotionally intelligent people tend to have strong social skills, probably because they are so attuned to their own feelings as well as those of others. They know how to deal with people effectively, and they have invested in maintaining healthy social relationships and helping those around them succeed.
Several studies have also demonstrated that those with high EQ scores are more self-confident,trustworthy and likeable than those with low scores. They also make better leaders and generally perform better at the workplace.
Needless to say, a high EQ contributes overall to increased productivity and success. In fact, many companies give applicants EQ tests before hiring them, while others have instituted EQ training programs.
