Intelligence (IQ) vs.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)84

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BY MQJEFFREY

EQ or IQ, you can find information on both

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent,
but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin
Apparent in many aspects of human interaction is the notion of "survival of the
fittest." In business, government, science, and even personal relationships, the
competition for that which is scarce drives humans to find an "edge" over their
adversaries. A good indicator of success in the past has been the level of one'
s intelligence. It was assumed that the relationship between one's IQ and one's
success would be positively correlated. In other words, "smarter" individuals we
re bound to triumph over those less intelligent.
However, what about "book smarts vs. street smarts?" Can an individual with an a
verage IQ be more successful than an IQ genius?
Yes, but only if the individual in question has the higher level of emotional in
telligence (EQ); IQ will get you through school, but EQ gets you through life.
Short Definitions
IQ - A number that signifies the relative intelligence of a person; the ratio mu
ltiplied by 100 of the mental age as reported on a standardized test to the chro
nological age. IQ is primarily used to measure one's cognitive abilities, such a
s the ability to learn or understand new situations; how to reason through a giv
en problem/scenario; the ability to apply knowledge to one's current situations.
It involves primarily the neo cortex or top portion of the brain.
Over 140 - Genius or almost genius
120 - 140 - Very superior intelligence (Gifted)
110 - 119 - Superior intelligence
90 - 109 - Average or normal intelligence
80 - 89 - Dullness
70 - 79 - Borderline deficiency in intelligence
Under 70 - Feeble-mindedness
EQ - A measure of one's emotional intelligence, as defined by the ability to use
both emotional and cognitive thought. Emotional intelligence skills include but
are not limited to empathy, intuition, creativity, flexibility, resilience, str
ess management, leadership, integrity, authenticity, intrapersonal skills and in
terpersonal skills. It involves the lower and central sections of the brain, cal
led the limbic system. It also primarily involves the amygdala, which has the ab
ility to scan everything that's happening to us moment to moment to see if it is
a threat. As defined by Dr. Daniel Goleman, the components of emotional intelli
gence are "simple, yet powerful enough to effect change." Hence, if Goleman and
Darwin are to believed, it is emotionally intelligent individuals who are most a
ble to adapt to dynamic environments and therefore most likely to survive (read:
succeed).
Examples by comparison of EQ vs. IQ
Appealing to emotions to convince someone rather than using facts alone
Using your emotions in addition to your cognitive abilities to function rather t
han relying solely on logic
Knowing how and why vs. Knowing what
Knowing how to motivate separate individuals as opposed to treating everyone the
same way
Understanding and controlling your emotions to use them for something vs. Lettin
g your emotions control you because you do not know how to deal with them.
The Components of EQ
Emotional intelligence is measured using 5-major components and 15-subcomponents
:
1. Intrapersonal Skills (ability to understand and apply personal emotions)
* Self Regard (ability to accept oneself as basically good)
* Emotional Self Awareness (ability to recognize one's own feelings, which allow
s us to manage them and make better decisions. It is important to be positive ev
en when challenged because it results in more focused thinking)
* Assertiveness (ability to express feelings, beliefs, and thoughts without beco
ming antagonistic and uncooperative towards others)
* Independence (ability to be self-directed and self-controlled in ones thinking
and actions and to be free of emotional dependency)
* Self Actualization (ability to realizes one's potential)
2. Interpersonal Skills (people skills)
* Empathy (understanding the feelings of others, which enables us to respond app
ropriately to changes in the emotional climate of others; Significant others, ta
ke note)
* Social Responsibility (being a cooperative, contributing, and constructive mem
ber of various social groups)
* Interpersonal Relationships (ability to establish and maintain mutually benefi
cial relationships noted for their intimacy and by the giving & receiving of aff
ection, whether it be as a lover, friend, family member, or loyal employee)
3. Stress Management (ability to handle challenges)
* Stress Tolerance (Ability to handle difficult situations without falling apart'
)
* Impulse Control (ability to resist or delay an impulse, drive, or temptation t
o act; controlling the need for "instant gratification")
4. Adaptability (Ability to react quickly, appropriately, and efficiently to cha
nge)
* Reality Testing (ability to assess the correspondence between what is experien
ced and what objectively exists; knowing what you want to do vs. what you actual
ly can do)
* Flexibility (ability to adjust one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to chan
ging situations and conditions)
* Problem Solving (ability to identify and define problems as well as to generat
e and implement potentially effective solutions)
5. General Mood
* Optimism
* Happiness
How can EQ Help?
To be successful and survive in today's society, individuals need to have the ne
cessary communication and organizational skills to make sound decisions and inte
ract with each other. Goleman argues that an individual's success at work is 80
percent dependent on emotional quotient and only 20 percent dependent on intelli
gence quotient. This is because EQ components are useful in assisting employees
with decision-making in areas like teamwork, inclusion, productivity, and commun
ication.
Furthermore, good listening habits and skills are integral components of EQ, and
carry the elements of self-awareness and control, empathy and social expertness
. When a manager at AT&T Bell Labs was asked to rank his top performing engineer
s, high IQ was not the deciding factor, but instead how the person performed reg
arding the answering of e-mails, how good they were at collaborating and network
ing with colleagues, and their popularity with others in order to achieve the co
operation required to attain the goals. This is just one example of the benefits
of high EQ regarding communication skills, time management, teamwork, leadershi
p skills and business acumen. After all, we've often heard of the "genius" with
no personality, and the brilliant surgeon with a horrible bed-side manner.
If you'd like to test your emotional intelligence, there are plenty of options a
vailable online and at your local library.