Are people with higher emotional intelligence really more succesful?

Question

Are people with higher EQ or emotional intelligence quotient succeed better on a job than those who have higher Intelligence Quotient?

Answer 1

Everything else being equal, someone with high emotional intelligence will probably be more successful.

Here's an interesting bit from the Utne Reader:

"Emotional intelligence gives you a competitive edge. Even at Bell Labs, where everyone is smart, studies find that the most valued and productive engineers are those with the traits of emotional intelligence -- not necessarily the highest IQ. Having great intellectual abilities may make you a superb fiscal analyst or legal scholar, but a highly developed emotional intelligence will make you a candidate for CEO or a brilliant trial lawyer."

It makes sense. If you are going to be successful, you have to be able to motivate people or convince people to get behind your idea. That's hard to do if you cannot connect with people and have weak social skills.

Check out the link below to take the EQ test:

http://www.utne.com/interact/test_iq.html

Answer 2

I would say it depends on the job. People in management roles, with large corporations get ahead more through good people and leadership skills that raw intelligence. But, if you are working as a scientist or a doctor or something, then IQ probably wins.

Answer 3

If the job involves people-to-people communication (sales, marketing, receptionist, professor), then very likely, as the person with high EQ is likely to be more aware of the person's mood, etc.

If it's a non-people job, like scientist, engineer, etc. then EQ doesn't really matter.

Answer 4

Imagine so - if you're not emotionally intelligent, you're likely to mess up or get on a higher-up's wrong side. I would consider emotional intelligence "street smarts," and lots of times that is more important than how high your IQ is. :D

Answer 5

i have to agree that it depends on the job type. There are several people in positions requiring high EQ ability but their IQ gets in the way of proficiency. And there are those who lack both and are not successful any way you look at it.

Answer 6

Yes. Emotionally intelligent people are better integrated, which would seem an important element in being successful.

Answer 7

in my experience yes. if you cannot relate well to people, it will eventually hurt your career no matter how high your IQ is.

Answer 8

yes
i believe they are more succesful