Emotional Intelligence: EI vs. EQ vs. IQ
In the early 1900s people searching for a predictor of success settled on Intelligence Quotient or IQ. It seemed reasonable that more intelligence would: 1) open doors such as advanced education required for certain high prestige careers and 2) provide a means to figure out the secrets of success. Throughout the century, better tests and a wider variety of tests were created to more accurately predict success. The SAT was created to predict success in college, MSAT in management curriculum and LSAT in law school. Some tests were designed to differentiate between IQs of 70 and 80, others between 90 and 110 and others between 135 and 145. Each test had its special purpose, its supporters and its detractors.
But it became clear that while IQ was important, there were other factors that were perhaps even more important. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s showed that there was less than a 25% correlation between IQ and career success. We have all heard of taxi drivers with Ph.D.s and company presidents who cannot create coherent sentences. Stories abound that show wasted capability such as a person who scored very high on IQ tests, worked as a bouncer in a bar, parked his Harley motorcycle in his kitchen and read Greek and Latin classics in their original language.
We now know that there are many factors that affect success. The one I wish to focus on is emotional quotient (EQ). Today’s literature calls it “emotional intelligence” and abbreviates it “EQ.” For two reasons, I believe the term Emotional Quotient is more appropriate than Emotional Intelligence. First, the discussions center around the difference between intelligence (ability to reason) and emotion so I believe combining the terms emotional and intelligence may lead to confusion. Second, if we see emotional as an adjective and intelligence as a noun, it means a cognitive understanding of emotions, while the literature usually refers to the identifying, feeling and using emotions.
For example: In the past, we may have bought products based on the characteristic of the product. Today, with so many variations on products that can satisfy our need – frequently manufactured by the same company and packaged differently for different resellers – we have moved to relationship buying. We do not buy from someone we do not trust or like. We are much more likely to buy from someone we trust and like. Thus a person who has a high ability to recognize, identify and feel emotions in him/herself and others (high EQ) will become a more successful salesperson.
People with high EQ will have more friends and mentors in companies and thus advance faster than a person of equal (or perhaps greater) IQ.
Likewise, people with high EQ will be better liked and more appreciated in the community or in politics and be able to solicit more backers for their proposals.
Some careers require a high IQ just to get into the career. A study was done of 80 scientists with Ph.D. degrees and it was found that an IQ of about 120 was required to get into their program in college, but ten of fifteen more points of IQ did not predict their eventual success compared to others. Those with a higher EQ enjoyed more success. A conclusion from this study was that IQ set a floor or threshold for entry into the career, but that once that threshold was met, EQ determined the eventual success.
The benefit, if EQ a greater indicator of life success than IQ, is that EQ can be modified through a program of directed learning. Regardless of your IQ or current level of success, you can increase your EQ and thus increase your life success. You truly are the master of your destiny.
Hugh Curley's Blog 