Maintain your EQ on your way to the top!

Are you a manager? Then you are probably the EQ excel in your organization. According to a study by Travis Bradberry, author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, as a manager, you have the highest emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Peaks and valleys of EQ

Bradberry and colleagues examined the EQ scores of more than 100,000 executives. The results show a clear trend. EQ often peaks at the manager level. Organizations at that level are more likely to choose someone with highly developed social and relationship skills. Employees are more likely to work for someone with emotional skills. Ascend further within the organization, that score sometimes drops again. That effect has several causes.

The ladder of emotional intelligence

Why does EQ sometimes sink toward the top?

• Higher positions more often require a direct, sharp style of leadership. That style creates results and pace, but also increases the distance between you and your team. Reduced empathy is a logical consequence.
• It’s lonely at the top sometimes! The higher up you get, the less daily interaction you have with employees. Less meaningful contact reduces your sensitive antenna for what’s going on.
• In senior positions, organizations pay closer attention to knowledge and experience. As a result, EQ sometimes carries less weight in selection procedures. The focus shifts and that can weaken your EQ if you don’t actively maintain it.

A drop in EQ does not work in your favor. In fact, it is a great predictor of success. Emotional intelligence contributes directly to motivation, cooperation and sustainable performance. Fortunately, in an increasing number of organizations, including top management, much more value is being attached to EQ and you yourself can ensure that your EQ is maintained.

Maintain your emotional intelligence

With a strong EQ, you develop resonance. You read situations faster, you support employees better and you positively influence mutual dynamics. Teams therefore feel more committed to goals and results. With a stable EQ, you keep yourself sharp and remain effective even when complexity increases.

So keep investing in your EQ. It’s a skill you use every day, regardless of your position. Want to further strengthen your EQ? Then check out the Emotional Intelligence training course.

Source: Travis Bradberry Research