EQ, or emotional intelligence, is just as important as IQ in the workplace and when it comes to driving your career. Most people are familiar with the concept of IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, however, EQ, or Emotional Quotient, is just as important – if not more so – in the workplace. EQ is the ability to understand and manage emotions, and it plays a huge role in everything from teamwork to stress management, leadership and appreciating different perspectives on projects.  Here we take a look at why EQ is so important in the workplace, and some tips on how you can improve your own emotional intelligence.

Defining emotional intelligence and why it's important in the workplace

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to recognise and manage emotions in yourself and others. It is beneficial to have a high level of EQ in the workplace as it helps to create strong relationships with colleagues, develop better communication skills, increase motivation, and improve problem-solving techniques. EQ enables people to work effectively together in team environments and allows them to relate to one another comfortably, creating a harmonious atmosphere that leads to increased productivity. Furthermore, having a good understanding of your own emotions and those of others can help people be more aware of how their behaviours are being interpreted by their peers and promoted self-improvement. Learning more about emotional intelligence can go a long way in driving a person's career forward – developing the essential skill set for success at work.

According to a recent Forbes article, from The Great Resignation to Quiet Quitting, more than ever leaders must possess high emotional intelligence in order to secure and nurture talent while pushing engagement. Those with strong EQ are more likely to foster psychologically safe environments where workers feel secure expressing their ideas and have the assurance that they will not only be heard but understood as well. Leaders who embody these traits can help create a culture of acceptance by actively listening, displaying empathy, and communicating effectively.

Additionally, employees of all hierarchical levels benefit from developing their EQ. Studies have shown that it has a greater influence on success than even IQ does; and having outstanding EQ is associated with larger creativity and better job fulfillment.

How to improve your emotional intelligence

While IQ is a crucial component of success in the workplace and career, EQ has become increasingly important to driving growth. To improve your EQ, it’s important to become aware of your emotions and how they shape your reactions in certain situations. The ability to read yourself and others accurately can help you respond positively and constructively instead of reacting emotionally. Intentionally striving towards self-awareness and understanding your weaknesses are important first steps towards improving emotional intelligence.

Practicing active listening not only helps with communication but also maintaining awareness in conversations; ask clarifying questions to better understand and remember what was said. Additionally, having strong self-regard and taking full ownership of our experiences can allow us to establish the trust needed for meaningful relationships both professionally and personally. With diligence, intentionality, and patience anyone can enrich their EQ to bring more effectiveness into their endeavours.

According to Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., author of the New York Times bestseller Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships, there are 5 key points:

1. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is the ability to carefully identify your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, actions and understand how these influence others around you.

Self-awareness comes from the understanding of your being. You know your feelings and also how your actions and emotions can affect others. You are more aware of your surroundings since you actively observe them.

2. Self-regulation

Self-regulation allows you to manage your emotions and impulses wisely. Self-regulation is all about your actions. How you act in control and take calculated decisions without getting carried away or when fuelled by emotions.

3. Empathy

Empathy is all about understanding others' perspectives without being cynical—the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and look at something from their point of view.

4. Motivation

To remain self-motivated and optimistic in any given situation. It is about enjoying what you do and working towards achieving your goals.

5. Social skills

Having good communication skills and being approachable. Practical social skills help build solid connections and healthy relationships.

Tips for improving self-awareness

It is essential to be self-aware at the workplace and in driving your career. Achieving an optimal balance of EQ and IQ can significantly improve how you navigate these scenarios. EQ helps to identify emotions in yourself as well as others, and IQ allows for deeper understanding of a situation that can help with decision-making. To improve self-awareness, start by taking stock of one's actions, thoughts, and feelings. Monitor progress regularly to assess effectiveness during problem solving or interpersonal relationships. Asking for feedback from professional peers or mentors can provide greater clarity into one’s strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about our shortcomings is admirable, and it gives us the opportunity to build on areas needing improvement. Self-reflection will continue to reap rewards both in the workplace and throughout our individual career paths.

How to demonstrate your IQ in the workplace

To demonstrate your IQ in the workplace, it's important to be cognizant of how you interact with your peers and colleagues. Taking initiative and researching potential solutions can demonstrate a deep understanding of the task at hand. Additionally, being mindful of communication styles when interacting with co-workers is vital - consider using metaphors or analogies to explain complex ideas simply and clearly during conversations. Lastly, having an analytical mindset as well as finely honed problem-solving skills are both essential attributes for demonstrating IQ in the workplace. With these tips in hand, you'll be capable of more effectively driving your career.

By combining EQ and IQ, you can increase your career success by having both the emotional and intellectual skills needed to succeed in any job. With these tips in mind, you'll have a better chance of reaching your professional goals.

The role of testing IQ and EQ?

Testing IQ and EQ in pre-employment screening is becoming increasingly important. Employers are looking for candidates who have the right combination of emotional intelligence (EQ) and intellectual intelligence (IQ). Testing can help identify people with the necessary skills to be successful in their roles and bring awareness to both the applicant and employer about areas of strength and conversely development.

LSI ’s (Learning Styles Inventory) is another example of a questionnaire that can be used to measure an individual’s EQ and IQ. It is designed to assess personality, skills, and abilities to identify areas of natural strength, as well as those in need of improvement so that the individual can focus on developing their emotional intelligence with the right strategies.

Ultimately, it helps to create a more comprehensive view of an individual’s abilities and potential, helping employers make the right decisions when hiring.

In conclusion, IQ and EQ are both important factors in career success. Testing them in pre-employment screening can help employers find the right candidates and offer guidance to those applying for jobs on areas they need to focus on developing and can be deployed at times throughout their employment to foster ongoing personal and professional growth.