According to an article by Daniel Goleman and Richard E. Boyatzis in today’s Harvard Business Review, an employee’s emotional intelligence — often referred to simply as “EQ” or “EI” — is a predictor of success in the workplace.
EI contains four different major categories of intelligence: (1) self-awareness, (2) self-management, (3) social awareness, and (4) relationship management. Within each of those major categories are twelve major “competencies,” including:
(1) Emotional self-control;
(2) Emotional self-management; adaptability; achievement orientation; and positive outlook;
(3) Empathy and organizational awareness;
(4) Influence; conflict management; inspirational leadership; teamwork; and coach/mentoring skills.
“In order to excel, leaders need to develop a balance of strengths across the suite of EI competencies,” concluded Mr. Goleman. “When they do that, excellent business results follow.”
Mr. Goleman recommends 360 degree assessments which collect both the employee’s self-assessment and the views of others in the organization that know him/her well. These formal 360 degree assessments “are the best predictors of a leader’s effectiveness, actual business performance, engagement, and job (and life) satisfaction,” he says. For an employee in need of improving his or her EI, “coaching” is the most successful strategy.
You can read Mr. Goleman’s article in the Harvard Business Review here.
