IQ vs EQ: Which One Is Important For Your Career Success?

You have undoubtedly put significant time and efforts as a student at university and undergraduate the psychology major in order to achieve decent scores. Your diligence and intellect have likely led to outstanding educational opportunities as well as guided you through several hurdles. Your intelligence has been critical to your success throughout the hallowed halls in academia.

Nevertheless, as you prepare to enter the professional world, equipped with a certificate demonstrating your talents and abilities, you're going to discover that in today's quickly changing professional environment, success is not only defined by one's own intelligence. Rather, in the modern workplace, companies are looking for individuals who also possess the crucial abilities required for effective cooperation and leadership. Emotional intelligence (EQ) develops as a key attribute in such an atmosphere.

The Definition of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

John Mayer, a psychologist who researched emotions and thought, along with Peter Salovey, who researched behavior and emotions, developed the theory of emotional intelligence. It is the capability to recognize, understand, as well as express one's own emotions, and also the ability to understand, recognize, as well as responding towards others' emotions. Emotional intelligence is additionally known as emotional quotient, abbreviated EQ (which I utilize in this article).

Why Is Emotional Intelligence Important for Employers?

According to research, emotional intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) is more reliable indicator of success instead of intelligence quotient (IQ) and technical abilities. Individuals with a high EQ concentrate on the good, listen intently, confess mistakes, demonstrate empathy, and manage unpleasant emotions. Employers value EQ when recruiting and promoting employees, with 59% saying they wouldn't employ someone having a high IQ but a poor EQ. Here's some other reasons:

Better teammates have a higher EQ. People with a high EQ get along well with others. They are skilled in fostering healthy connections, resolving disagreements, and creating a pleasant environment within a team. Their capacity to empathize with people and act empathetically to their specific needs enables them to form greater bonds.
Communication becomes more successful when the EQ improves. People who have a high EQ have superior communicators and are more probable to grasp the viewpoints of others. This improves interpersonal interactions and results in more effective cooperation. Furthermore, persons with a high EQ have a favorable influence on the work environment and improve their coworkers, which is critical for business performance.
Employees with a higher EQ are more resilient. Individuals with high EQ efficiently manage professional demands, recover from difficulties, adapt to shifting circumstances, argue for themselves, as well as seek help, resulting in happier workers and higher job satisfaction.
EQ benefits both employer and employee. According to research, those who are more emotionally intelligent have higher work satisfaction, are more successful, and have more prospects for promotion.

To summarize all the point explained above, EQ or emotional quotient teaches you how to grow as a better, more cheerful, more engaged employee who collaborates well with others, has a good influence on the office environment, and enhances productivity. It's a win-win solution for everyone!

Can You Enhance Your EQ?

Yes! The bright side is that anyone can train themselves to improve their EQ. The four parts of EQ abilities are as follows: (1) self-awareness, (2) social awareness, (3) emotional management, and (4) management of relationships. You must build abilities in each of these areas to improve your EQ.

1. Self-Awareness

EQ means the ability to detect and control one's emotions, triggers, as well as hot buttons. It entails comprehending how one responds to emotions and the way they influence others. Individuals can increase self-awareness by journaling, reflecting, meditating, writing down triggers and emotions, taking a web-based personality test, and soliciting input from family and close friends. This in-depth awareness of one's reactions and emotions can help in collaboration and interaction.

2. Social Awareness

Being able to comprehend and accept the sentiments of others, as well as recognize that things may be perceived from many viewpoints, is referred to as social awareness. It entails empathy, knowing that various individuals interpret and comprehend the same circumstance in different ways, and accepting that others perceive and understand through their own unique perspective. To meet and comprehend individuals from varied origins, improve social awareness, be totally present, actively listen, notice and be responsive to others' emotions, as well as read diverse tales.

3. Emotional Management

Emotion management include managing bad sentiments, dealing with difficult emotional states, and dealing with stress. It is impacted by intrinsic temperament, family, as well as culture, and it may be difficult for those who are struggling with chronic discrimination, trauma, stress, or hostile environments. To control emotions, notice physical reactions, divide emotions from behavior, appreciate emotions with no judgment, determine which emotions are simpler or harder to control, journal, practice techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, as well as visualization, and take a time outside if necessary.

4. Management of Relationships

Relationship management requires managing expectations, effective communication, understanding differences in thinking, appreciating diverse working styles, as well as being upbeat. These relationships have a substantial influence on personal happiness, professional achievement, and overall satisfaction.

Schedule time for good contacts, express appreciation, be helpful, build trust, and foster a feeling of belonging to improve your EQ. To avoid misunderstandings, avoid gossiping and interact more. This will aid in the maintenance of a pleasant and encouraging work environment.

The Bottom Line

EQ abilities are essential for work success in the present-day dynamic and linked professional setting. Recognizing and improving your emotional quotient abilities as a psychology college student will help you communicate efficiently and handle challenging business situations. You may establish collaborative workplaces, build solid relationships, and embrace chances for both professional and personal development by understanding and controlling your own emotion while empathically interacting with others. Embracing emotional quotient not just improves your own career path, but it also helps to create pleasant and meaningful job experiences, eventually developing you into a tough and effective employee and preparing you for achievement at everything you do!