WHAT’S YOUR EQ?
You may know your IQ, but do you know your EQ? Dr. Travis Bradberry, the pioneer behind the ‘emotional intelligence’ (EQ) metric, says that maintaining a high EQ can help people both personally and professionally and is a better indicator of life successes.
In his engaging and eye-opening keynote address on Monday, Bradberry, co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and co-founder of TalentSmart, defined emotional intelligence for ACI-NA members and explained its importance.
In non-clinical terms, emotional intelligence is the interaction between emotion and reason. For some, the pathway between these two areas of the brain is a superhighway with no obstacles. For others, it’s a rutted, bumpy road. But there’s hope. By mastering four core skills, according to Bradberry, people can harness their emotions and channel behaviors appropriately.
1) self-awareness (recognize behavior to change)
2) self-management (channel the behavior wanted)
3) social awareness (read and respond to others by focusing on them)
4) relationship management (mastering the first three)
The business implications of possessing a strong EQ are significant. Sixty percent of job performance is impacted by EQ. In addition, a staggering 90 percent of top performers are high in emotional intelligence. Therefore, recognizing and promoting an individual with a strong EQ will further strengthen one’s core team and continue to build a strong company culture. The key, says Bradberry, is practice. The skills need to be habitual in order to be developed. Lean into the discomfort and practice the behavior.