Why your EQ says more
than your resume

Your emotional intelligence is one of the best predictors of your performance in the workplace, according to Harvard professor Daniel Goleman. Many organizations still select on IQ, while it is your EQ that determines how effectively you function, collaborate and influence. So it pays to become aware of your EQ and the factors that determine it.

The ingredients of emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is not about “being nice” or “feeling a lot of emotions.” EQ consists of four distinct domains that together determine your effectiveness:

1. Self-Awareness. Understanding your emotions, triggers, beliefs and their influence on your behavior.
2. Self-management. Your ability to regulate emotions, direct impulses and stay focused.
3. Social awareness. Your ability to recognize others’ emotions and identify needs in a timely manner.
4. Social Skills. Your talent to build relationships, create trust and communicate clearly.

The combination of these four domains constitutes your total emotional intelligence.

Assessing your own EQ

According to London researchers Petrides and Furnham, you can gauge your EQ fairly well by paying attention to recognizable behaviors. Forbes names five signs that indicate highly developed emotional intelligence:

• You handle criticism constructively.
• You are open to new ideas.
• You listen actively and without judgment.
• You dare to speak the truth.
• You apologize when appropriate.

Do you recognize yourself in this? Then your EQ probably functions more strongly than average.

No ‘battle of the sexes’

Men and women score equally on EQ! Only the emphases differ. Men more often show higher self-confidence, optimism and stress resilience. Women score higher on average on empathy, emotional awareness and relational sensitivity. However, overall EQ scores remain similar.

Increase your emotional intelligence

EQ occurs when the emotional brain works effectively with the rational brain. The smoother that connection is, the better you act under pressure, the sharper your decisions and the more powerful your influence. Thanks to the brain’s plasticity, you can enhance this. Practicing EQ skills grows the neural connections that support these behaviors. Thus, you develop permanently stronger EQ behaviors, with visible effects on your performance.

Curious how to further increase your EQ? Then check out our Emotional Intelligence training course.