First, the limitations of IQ
IQ (Intelligence Quotient) measures one’s ability to reason and solve problems.
IQ is a nice-sounding idea where scientists thought they could predict one’s ability based on a single test score.
One problem: it was discovered that IQ (Intelligence Quotient) has very little to do with successful outcomes in a given field.
Think of “IQ” as a baseline. Without a certain basic level of IQ, it’s difficult to make it in a job or career. That’s why the military started using it to predict those who could “cut it” or not.
IQ is necessary to a point, for many jobs, however, above a certain level IQ is not the difference in successful performance. For those in the “normal” range of IQ, other factors are much more important.
What’s more, IQ is relatively fixed for adults and doesn’t improve much over a lifetime.
Maybe you find all of this so far to be discouraging. Maybe you are off-the-charts high in IQ and you were hoping to ride that horse to glory. Or, perhaps you are lower in IQ and you were hoping to grow it over your lifetime.
Either way, hang in there. There’s good news for all of us!
Enter Emotional Intelligence…
“Emotional Intelligence” (also known as “EI” or “EQ”), has received some interesting attention in recent years.
Understanding EI is helpful in a myriad of ways.
For one, EI actually has more to do with someone’s success than IQ. That’s right, even in technical fields like engineering and computer programming, EI matters as much as 70% more than technical skills.
Additionally, and this was the most encouraging to me, you can expand and grow your Emotional Intelligence competency even after adulthood. It’s not all hard-wired.
That’s great news for anyone who wants to grow as a person.
Here are some statistics about the magnitude of Emotional Intelligence:
EI distinguishes outstanding performers from average or mediocre, in every field including technical fields.
> In one study at Amoco around competencies for technology projects managers, of 15 skills required for superior performance, 73% were emotional intelligence competencies*
> In a comparison of over 181 different positions in 121 companies worldwide, 67% of abilities thought to distinguish the best performers were emotional competencies
> EI 2X as important: For people in any given job, whether technical or not, whether leadership or entry level, EI was found to be TWICE as important in contributing to excellence as pure intellect and expertise
> The higher you rise in an organization, the more important EI becomes.
> EI skills such as listening, understanding, flexibility, teamwork, ability to energize others, commitment, confidence, building partnerships, networking, service-orientation, cooperation, wielding influence, and developing others are CRUCIAL characteristics in people at every level
*Reference: see Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman)
EI isn’t just about Emotions. Here’s what it involves:
I have begun thinking about Emotional Intelligence as maturity. It’s mature to think before you act. To manage relationships. To know yourself, and understand others around you. To realize you aren’t the center of the universe.
No one is great at every element of EI. Everyone has natural strengths and natural weaknesses. Some are amazing at reading the emotions in a room and elevating the energy, but awful at managing relationships long-term. Some are wonderful at managing relationships but terrible at managing their own emotions.
Emotional Intelligence is broad and deep, and the great news is that you can improve it if you work on it purposefully.
Here’s how you can grow your Emotional Intelligence:
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Take the 360-degree Emotional and Social Competency Inventory assessment. Let me know if you are interested in this.
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Using your assessment, you can learn where your blind spots are and develop a learning and growth plan.
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You may want to consider working with a coach on this. If you would like to schedule a 30-minute conversation to explore what this could look like, you can schedule a call here.
For further study:
