Have you experienced taking an intelligence quotient (IQ) test as a child? Without a doubt, at some point in your life, you agree that IQ matters for you to succeed. After all, those with higher IQ tend to top the class most of the time.
As such, is it not logical that they will succeed in their career endeavors too? However, it is only quite recently that employers are starting to recognize the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in workplace success. Thus, sparking the IQ vs EQ debate.
For the longest time, employers have gravitated on using IQ measures to determine how good a potential employee is. The smarter the person and the better his academic background is, the better the employee he will be. It is true to a certain degree because many works do require problem-solving skills and reasoning abilities.
However, they are not the only ones needed. Many employees are now clamoring for leaders who are not just intellectually smart but also socially adept. It now leads to using EQ as a measure for employability. Conversely, the IQ vs. EQ debate continues.
When hiring, employers are looking for four additional traits, namely, self-awareness, empathy, social skills, and self-regulation. All of which are crucial elements of EQ.
Self-awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to identify what you are feeling, why you are feeling it, and what can you do about it. Sometimes, intelligence matters very little if one cannot see his blind spots. When you are self-aware, you get to understand not just your emotions but also how it is affecting others. Employers are looking for individuals who can take responsibility for their feelings and the consequences of it.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to resonate with what other people are feeling. A person who knows how to empathize is kinder because they see other people’s perspectives. When it comes to conflict management, it does not always matter if you are the one who can reason best. What matters most is that you can understand others and come up with a compromise to resolve the problem.
Social skills
Social skills include communication skills, relatability, and even humor. Employees who can work well in a team usually become the best leaders. A person with a high IQ may be able to do things effectively, but a person with high EQ can do things efficiently.
Self-regulation
Employers are also on the lookout for individuals that know how to discipline themselves because it is the foundation of success. Self-regulated individuals have initiative and the flexibility to adapt to changes.
Self-regulation also entails humility. One mark of having a high EQ knows that the most significant room is the room for improvement. EQ is a skill that you can learn.
Some say that a high IQ will allow you to graduate with flying colors in school, but a high EQ will enable you to graduate with flying colors in life. Thus, if you want to land your dream job, working on your character is a place to start.
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