Does Emotional Intelligence Matter?

Some experts believe that EQ (emotional intelligence) is a better predictor of success than IQ. What do you think?

Daniel Goleman argues that emotional intelligence is more important than traditional notions of verbal or mathematical intelligence. His 1995 book, Emotional Intelligence, spent one-and-a-half-years on the New York Times Best Seller list.

Goleman's model has four EQ competencies:

1. Self-Awareness: Your ability to accurately perceive your own emotions and stay aware of them as they happen. This includes keeping on top of how you tend to respond to specific situations and people.



2. Self-Management: Your ability to use awareness of your emotions to stay flexible and positively direct your behavior. This means managing your emotional reactions to all situations and people.



3. Social Awareness: Your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people and get what is really going on. This often means understanding what other people are thinking and feeling even if you don’t feel the same way.



4. Relationship Management: Your ability to use your awareness of your emotions and the emotions of others to manage interactions successfully. This includes clear communication and effectively handling conflict.

What do you think? How important is EQ?

I look forward to reading your comments!