Emotional Intelligence is often expressed as an Emotional Quotient (EQ), the measure of an individual’s Emotional Intelligence. One’s EQ can compliment their Intellectual Quotient (IQ), but there are distinct differences.
Your IQ relates to your cognitive or reasoning abilities. In contrast, your EQ captures many of your non-cognitive capabilities, or soft skills. These are the skills that help you succeed in coping with demanding pressures and awkward interpersonal predicaments.
EQ has been proven to be a powerful predictor of effective and successful performance in the workplace and other areas of life. Accumulated data on the ability of IQ to predict job performance suggest that cognitive intelligence (IQ) accounts for only 6 percent of one’s ability to succeed in the workplace. (Wagner, 1997) IQ is a rather poor predictor of occupational success.
In order to take full advantage of one’s IQ (cognitive intelligence) you must first have a healthy EQ (non-cognitive intelligence). Your “books smarts” does not provide much benefit if it is mixed with erratic or abrasive behavior. In contrast, the healthier your emotional intelligence, the greater your chances for success.
EQ has shown to be responsible for between 27 and 45 percent of job success, depending on which field was under study. (Bar-On, 1998) Clearly, EQ is a better predictor of occupational and professional performance than IQ. Average to above average scores on the EQ-i indicate an emotionally and socially healthy, well-functioning, and efficient individual.
IQ peaks at around age 17 and remains constant throughout adulthood. EQ consistently rises with age and maturity and peaks when we are in our late 40s and early 50s.
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