A CareerBuilders survey says 71% of employers value emotional intelligence, or EQ, over IQ.  Many employers believe people can be taught “hard,” or technical skills more readily than EQ, the required softer, human relations skills.

I agree with their assessment.  For more than 30 years as a speaker, leadership development expert and executive coach, for most situations that I’ve been involved with, poor performance, job dissatisfaction, ineffective leadership, expensive turnover and a lack of promote-ability are the “stuff” on the softer side of the excellence equation.

Strengthening your emotional intelligence for enhanced excellence begins with becoming more self-aware.  You can do so by paying attention to your feelings.  Silently notice and name the emotion you’re experiencing.  Consciously decide if it’s a feeling you want to act on or one you know it would be best to contain.  This alone can help you close the gap between your intent and impact.

When you’re self-aware, in control of your emotions, able to relate well to others, and motivated to achieve goals, your high EQ facilitates success in a number of ways.  It will help you:

  • Increase your ability to read situations and people accurately.
  • Improve relationships in all parts of your life.
  • Sell your innovative ideas.
  • Get buy-in to recommended solutions to complex problems.
  • Gain candid input and cooperation from others.
  • Lead change.
  • Manage sensitive issues with clarity, candor and diplomacy.
  • Diffuse emotionally volatile situations.
  • Increase customer satisfaction.

Wondering where you fall on the EQ spectrum?  You can test your emotional Intelligence with this short quiz.

High emotional intelligence makes you a powerful presence – an influential leader to whom people listen and follow.

For more quick tips that will help you rise to the top, listen to my Office Talk Reports as heard on KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia.  Transcripts and audio from my weekly reports are available at TMGSpeaks.com.