Predictors of Success: IQ (intelligence quotient) vs. EQ (emotional intelligence quotient)
I have seen over time that successful leaders tend to possess more remarkable EQ’s than those of equal IQ’s who do not have the savvy to express themselves and create an aura of interest and fascination about their strategies or ideas. A personal experience of mine many years ago proved this a little too dramatically. I attended a lecture by an author, one that I admired and read. And although he was able to put words to the page and help you to understand the most complex principals, the same words spoken by him became dull and dreary and certainly did not contain the same emotional impact that his written word did. Nor did they transfer any of the knowledge or concepts as well. It became painful to watch and he was aware of it and started to fumble for words and finally had to excuse himself and left the stage.
I have also found it very true that although IQ can get you into the job, EQ keeps you in. In my own recent experience, someone with a CPA, (a certification I do not have), got the job as CFO before me. But, lo and behold, two months later, the company called me back saying that she did not work out and offered me the position. Although she had a high IQ on the books, this particular CFO position required a great deal of Human Resource work as well as financial know how. So far I have broken her record and I hope that my EQ keeps me going and growing.
As regards EQ vs. IQ, you certainly need a blend of the two. However, I believe that in order to be successful leader you have to know how to be able to not only explain what you know; not only to convince people that you believe it; but you have to convince them that they believe it as well. This requires a sophisticated level of communication that can evoke emotional responses through metaphor and sincerity, as well as the use of intellect and reason.
Furthermore, I am still not sure of the concept that all EQ is learnable, at least at a later age. Some people seem to develop what I call “personality habits” and they become so set in their ways, that it takes a great deal of time and training to correct, and real willingness to change is an absolute requirement. (Q: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? A: One, but the light bulb has to want to change.)
I have always enjoyed learning and growing, even at 50, but I have met many people along the way, even in their 20’s that are stuck in their ways. Even though their IQ is high, they don’t seem to advance as well as others around them who have less education. This just adds more frustration and anxiety to their lives and seems to make them fall back on their old personality habits for comfort, a very self defeating circle.
