Emotional Intelligence in Business

Frequently Asked Questions 

Doesn’t intelligence impact business success more than emotional intelligence?
In fact, once you achieve an IQ of 110 or more the greatest determinant of success will be emotional intelligence. Most college students enter school with an IQ of 110 and leave with one of 120. From there, it is about awareness and relationships.

Aren’t most business issues and opportunities related to cash and technical information?
According to the 6 Seconds, Inc., in a survey of 1,000 managers at entrepreneurial, non-profit and corporate employers,

• 76% of issues and opportunities are about people and relationships;
• 24% are financial and technical.

Does the CEO’s level of emotional intelligence drive the company’s overall emotional intelligence and business results?
No. But the executive and management team’s level does impact business results. Gallup found that executives and managers who had high emotional intelligence supervised employees that were 50% more engaged in their positions, and therefore more productive, compared to leaders who had low emotional intelligence.

Are you born with emotional intelligence?
Most research indicates that you develop emotional intelligence as you age. The earlier you develop it the better for your success and career, according to Jack Canfield. But don’t go out and pour this on your children…the teenage years are when this skill develops more fully.

Can you actually measure emotional intelligence like intelligence?
Yes. Daniel Goleman, who wrote the ground breaking book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (1995 –Bantam Books), developed the first EQ profile. Four others exist today. In the business world, a widely accepted profile is the Emotional Intelligence Profile (EIP) developed by Dr. Laura Belsten. Pam Watson Korbel of SmartGrowth, Inc. is certified in this program.

How do you measure EQ?
Dr. Belsten’s model incorporates 24 competencies and provides a score in each competency plus a total score. Click here to review the model.

Does EQ peak during your early or mid career?
No. Goleman’s research shows EQ can be enhanced for a lifetime and that it is truly teachable and coachable. After taking the EIP, a trained coach or trainer can facilitate activities to improve development.

What is the best way for a company to approach emotional intelligence?
The program works best if the CEO or an executive champion takes the EIP and buys in first. An action plan would then be put together to improve that person’s EQ. Then, the program can be expanded to all staff with a priority on leaders. Training and coaching programs can be developed within the firm to enhance overall skills. The program can actually have a beginning and end; it is not ongoing.

What if I already have a perfect score in EQ measurement?
We have never seen a perfect score. A couple scores were nearly perfect but the structure of the EIP actually showed that because of inaccurate self-assessment the individuals had lower EQ than the numbers indicated. Everyone has room to improve.

Should the company focus on individual results or company results?
Both. SmartGrowth is currently studying the relationship between the individual EQ results and the company’s average EQ and then correlating that to the company’s business valuation. Entitled “Balanced Leadership for Fast Growth Companies,” this program focuses on entrepreneurial companies, not corporations or non-profits. To participate in this program, the CEO or an executive champion need to meet with Pam Watson Korbel to determine if the company meets the criteria.

Contact SmartGrowth, Inc. to take the Emotional Intelligence Profile and enjoy one coaching session with Pam Watson Korbel, CCEIP.