EQ vs. IQ

 

Which is more important? Is it the intelligence quotient or the emotional quotient?

IQ as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the proficiency in or knowledge of a specified subject, whereas EQ is defined by Harvard Business School as the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. In simple terms, I would like to define IQ as book smart and EQ as street smart. 

My takeaway from Mr. Calixto Chikiamco, founder and CEO of MRM Studios Inc., is that EQ is more important than IQ. In fact, EQ is worth twice as much as IQ and technical skills combined when it comes to business and hiring people. 

To run a successful business, it is not enough that you offer good products and services. You also need to build and maintain a good relationship with your clients. Business is all about relationships and it is critical that employees working for you have the ability to build rapport and manage interpersonal relationships easily. People who can communicate and manage relationship effectively are those with high emotional intelligence. They are the reason behind every business’ growth.

I believe in the saying “Employees make or break the business”. Employees are the core of every successful business. Some may say that the profit of a business comes from the customers, but it also depends on the productivity of the employees. Therefore, it is important that businesses hire candidates with high EQ as they will not only thrive in the workplace but also promote a positive workplace culture. People with high EQ can drive high performance and stay calm under pressure. Besides, an emotionally intelligent employee can become better at a lot of things. He will strive for continuous improvement to stay on top and therefore can outperform smart people. Moreover, people with high IQs don’t necessarily make great employees because they can’t handle failure effectively. Conversely, those with high EQs can easily recover from setbacks. They can be resilient and can manage anxiety, stress, anger, and fear in pursuit of a goal. Furthermore, they have a deeper level of empathy and therefore can be more responsive in a less reactive behavior. They are positive and motivated people who do not become defensive when criticized and instead utilize criticism and other feedback for growth which will allow the business to grow bigger. This is why recruiters usually asks applicants with situational interview questions instead of technical questions to determine how they can maturely reveal their emotions. It only goes to show that EQ is a much more powerful indicator of success than IQ.

I used to think that obtaining the highest degree of education is the key to success. However, after hearing the guest speaker, I realized that being book smart does not equal to success. I realized that in order to attain your goals and be successful in life, you should also be emotionally intelligent. Having a high EQ means you have a healthy sense of self- awareness and you can understand your own strengths and weaknesses. If you recognize yourself, you know how your behavior will affect not only your performance but those around you.