IQ or EIQ

If  you had a choice of having a higher IQ versus having a higher EIQ, which would you choose?  Maybe I need to back up to explain what EIQ is.  I am always a little surprised that so many have not heard that term used before. Emotional Intelligence Quotient simply means the skill to identify, assess, and control emotions of oneself, of others and of groups. 

Don't get me wrong, it is important to at least have close to a normal range IQ.  It is more important to have a higher EI.  This has been proven in large corporations across the world.  Those that are willing to keep a check on certain types of behavior learn quickly that it can take them far in their careers.  There is still a debate on whether or not EI can be learned.  I believe that up to a point, it can be.  That is the optimism in me.  However, I do understand that are some real "grinches" in this world.  These kind of people have to be taught the old school way, if you plan on getting any where with them.  So for now, let's just focus on ourselves.  

EI people are mindful of their feelings and the affect they have on themselves, as well as those around them.  They have empathy and find it very easy to put themselves in other shoes.  These people do not find it difficult to read body language and facial expressions of others, which in turn helps them understand what to say or not say to other individuals.

Sometimes it is easier to blame others about the way you feel, yet this is rarely the case in a true EI person.  They take full responsibility for their feelings and their responses.  Sometimes this means to step out of their comfort zone, which they will do knowing that this is the only way they will grow.  They are good at digging a little deeper to find out not only the cause of their emotions, but to deduce why they feel this way, and to come up with a plan of action.  

In their world there is never time for gossip and peer pressure.  EI people carve out their own path and do not need approval from others to validate themselves.  Even though they prefer to avoid conflict, they know when they must say, "No."  They prefer to use their energies in a positive, respectful way. 

"There is no doubt that emotional intelligence is more rare than book smarts...you just can't ignore it."  Jack Welch