IQ, EQ and Neurodiversity
Dear friends -
Whether you are early in your career wanting to advance, in a senior role wanting to lead more effectively, or an entrepreneur wanting to build a business -- knowing your emotinal intelligence (EQ) is important.
Taking it a step further, do you want to have higher quality relationships and be happier in life overall? I would venture to guess your answer is yes.
IQ, EQ and Personality
IQ is our ability to learn and it's pretty well fixed by our late teenage years. Being intellectually intelligent is important to help us get through school and get a job, but studies show that people with an average IQ tend to be more successful than those with high IQ scores. And IQ is really not an issue for most of us.
Another factor is our personality which is a genetic trait. It's the style that defines each of us. Preferences, like extroversion, introversion, thinking, and feeling doesn't change much over the course of our lives.
Of course, the key differentiator here is emotional intelligence. Numerous studies have linked emotional intelligence with success in work, leadership, and in life. Those who have higher EQ are generally more successful than their lower EQ counterparts, regardless of their IQ level. And personality traits are NOT associated with higher EQ.
These 3 components - IQ, EQ and Personality - don't overlap much but they help explain the whole person. Therefore, many Leadership Development programs use a personality and EQ assessment and provide training on both.
On a personal note, I find myself drawn to these topics and as an accredited practitioner for EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360 model (emotional intelligence) and Insights Discovery Colors (personality). I've been training, coaching, and consulting on these topics for years.
IQ and EQ in Business
So, you may have guessed by now that EQ is more important than IQ in business.
Sir Richard Branson, British billionaire, entrepreneur, and founder of the Virgin Group, recently wrote, "In short, I think being emotionally intelligent is more important in every aspect of life – and this includes business. Being a good listener, finding empathy, understanding emotions, communicating effectively, treating people well, and bringing out the best is critical to success. It will also help you build a business that really understands people and solve their problems, and it will make for a happier and healthier team too."
Given Branson's success in business and his impact on the world, this statement speaks volumes. He's not talking about intellect. He's not talking about drive and achievement. He's not even talking about perseverance or resilience. He's talking about HOW we relate to other people.
Neurodiversity
What's even more impressive is that Branson is dyslexic. He's considered a neurodiverse individual. Neurodiversity focuses on our brain differences, not deficits. Examples include ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. It refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And people who have these features also have certain strengths.
People with dyslexia can perceive certain kinds of visual information better than those without the condition. This skill can be useful in jobs like engineering and computer graphics -- helpful for a man who founded an airline, railroad, and space flight!
Call to Action
Emotional intelligence is the one trait that improves as we age, and we can improve it faster if we work on it! I encourage you to focus on your EQ to actively develop your empathy, communication, problem solving, stress tolerance, emotional awareness, and other skills. You can do this through assessment, education, training, and coaching. Don't hesitate to contact me if you’re interested in any of these.
Let's all improve how we relate to each other and live happy and successful lives!
Until next time, Dr. Shawn
You can find more information on my website drshawnandrews.com or my book, The Power of Perception: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and the Gender Divide
