IQ vs EIQ and What Mattters Most
"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Daniel Goleman has proven that two-thirds of the success in business is based upon our Emotional Intelligence as opposed to our IQ or our level of experience. As we look for the next crop of future CEOs, maybe it's time for America's corporations to start interviewing grads from the psychology master's programs rather than the M.B.A. programs."
Chip Conley
Prior to 1995 it was widely believed and taught that Intellectual Quotient (IQ) was the best indicator of one's future success. Such a premise was wrong! As we approach 2020, we now know that Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a far greater indicator of one's success. Over this 25 year period, we have come to see and understand that for decades prior to 1995, millions have been taught wrongly based on this erroneous premise. As the sciences continue to advance and dispense new insights and information; the world gains opportunity to grow and learn more. EQ is a far greater indicator of success than IQ ever was, despite the wrong beliefs and teachings of the past.
It is unfortunate that following decades of erroneous beliefs and teachings that there is no simple method to inform the millions misled. Imagine the limitations placed on the world's people as a result of faulty thinking. Faulty thinking limits our ability to fully embrace possibility thinking. Because we now live in a age of globalization and rapidly advancing technology, the need for interaction, communication and collaboration is greater than anytime before.
Let's focus for moment on some of the differences between IQ and EQ. IQ or general intelligence is basically a born ability which we max out at some point, whereas EQ is ability that we learn and which can be improved upon throughout life. IQ measures our logic and reasoning abilities; whereas, EQ measures our emotional intelligence and it can be increased over time. While both are essential to success, as the quote above mentions, IQ provides a lower level of contribution than EQ. What the sciences have proven is that EQ brings a far greater weight to the success equation. Based on the ratio mentioned by Chip Conley, it can be argued that EQ is twice as important as IQ.
While I don't recommend we completely toss out the value of IQ; we simply need to understand and give added weight to the value of EQ. While logic and reasoning are important factors, without Emotional Intelligence, one fails to embrace and understand the role EQ plays in everything we do especially after we leave school or the protective environment it provides. IQ maybe of more value while in school, but EQ prevails once one steps into the "real world" of life. The reason this is true, is because of the social and emotional competencies required for success after school.
During our formative/school years, most were not provided with an adequate understanding of the roles of our feelings and emotions and how they play into our interactions with others, our responses to situations and the decisions we make each day (many of which carry significant consequences). Because of the faulty beliefs of the past and the lack of understanding about the importance of EQ, we have, by default allowed what matters most to be a the mercy of what matters least.
It is now time to turn world focus to what matters most with full knowledge that the world is decades behind in this area. Remember, we can not as much to increase our IQ as we ca increase our EQ and increasing EQ brings forth greater sustainable rewards. Imagine a world that grows the most in the areas that are most important and reaps the benefits of such growth. Growth in EQ provides opportunities we can not even begin to comprehend.
I encourage you to learn now about what you should have been taught years ago and what matters most, not only for your benefit, but also the benefit of those you care about.
