What is the difference between EQ and IQ? Well firstly, we should define the IQ, the intelligence quotient. This Number is being calculated by standardized tests you can do online, in certain facilities etc. The IQ and its tests were designed to measure our intelligence, 100 being the standard. With a high IQ comes a great understanding in the logical area such as math skills, but also the ability to apply knowledge to skill, the ability to learn efficiently, word comprehension etc. A high IQ is beneficial in the workspace as it helps “connecting the dots”. High IQ is often found in gifted children, but also in individuals with mental challenges and special needs. Now to the EQ, the emotional quotient. The emotional intelligence is completely different to the IQ, as it has to do with our social skills. There are also standardized tests for the EQ, but they each tend to approach the topic differently. A couple popular Tests are the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Test, which is based on emotion-based problem solving and the Daniel Goleman model score, which is based on emotional competencies. But what defines a high EQ? With a high EQ, individuals tend to be able to identify, control and express their emotions and perceive other people’s emotions accurately. With this, they can use their emotions to facilitate thinking and understand emotional meanings very well, making them very empathetic. These people tend to be Leaders, and work well alone and in teams. These individuals often also have social challenges due to them being very susceptible to bullying or being neglected from their parents. A high EQ is the key to success in the workplace, as all high paid jobs need a good understanding of the human nature. Teamwork, a sense of leadership, successful relations and being able to take initiative are very important tasks successful people need to master. Unlike the IQ, you can train your EQ. Personally, I do find the EQ more important than the IQ, even though the IQ is necessary as well. But a high IQ just makes you the best worker, but success in our world is not being a worker, but managing workers. So, how does this knowledge benefit us in our apprenticeship? We as IT’s might not need the best social skills to be productive, but if we want to advance and improve our jobs in the long run a high EQ definitely won’t hurt, so improving our own EQ early will be beneficial. Here are few ways on how to improve your EQ:
- Emotional self-management
Having your own emotions under control is very important to become a more social person, because your own emotion will affect your view of the world around you.
- Be aware of your own actions
Choosing your words wisely and using more specific words makes communication a lot easier and thus improves your workflow. Also keep watch on your own behaviour, as it is being affected by your own emotions and will affect others around you.
- Strengthen your empathy
Practice it, it’s the core of a high EQ. Understanding other people’s feelings and perceiving them correctly helps you immensely.
- Improve your challenge handling
Challenges are a common thing, and are the things that keeps us going in the end. However, if you react in a faulty way it can send you into a meltdown, so you have to learn how to manage yourself in difficult situations, like practising optimism, asking the right questions and seeking help if necessary.
- Relationship management
To put it simply, being able to hold friendships alive and healthy is a vital part of a high EQ. Not being reliant on friends is a good sign as well, being able to enjoy time alone is just as important, being able to do both is a sign of a high EQ.
- Know your stressors
Stress causes you to lose your cool, making you susceptible to act recklessly and inefficient. Memorize what stresses you out and what calms you down, a calm mind is the first step.
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