So 2020 is bringing us a whole range of issues: the Covid-19 pandemic, civil unrest, political division, unemployment, climate change, teaching virtually and I could go on. Now more than ever, Emotional intelligence is important. However, Emotional Intelligence has always been key to a successful career as well.

1. What is emotional intelligence? EI is the ability to be aware of, and to manage, your emotions and the emotions of others to achieve your desired outcome. It entails emotional self-awareness (intrapersonal EI) and well as empathy and awareness of others’ emotions and how you are impacting them (interpersonal EI).

2. How can it lead to bigger salaries? In any organization, those who get results get promoted. And even “individual contributors” need to produce results through people. Those people may not be direct reports – they could be teammates, customers, or folks in other parts of the company. Getting results gets rewarded!

3. How can it lead to more job satisfaction? EI increases job satisfaction because it makes our jobs easier to do. Folks with high EI are able to influence others, negotiate better and have better working relationships.

4. What industries are EI most important in? EI is important for every job that involves dealing with people. It’s most important in industries which are highly people dependent – sales, consulting, financial advising, law, medicine, etc.

5. Why does emotional intelligence matter? EI matters because it’s a data source available to us for our use. Emotions are great indicators! And EI can change over time, so we can keep working on EI competencies to increase our effectiveness. IQ is static – you are born with it and it doesn’t change.

6. How can you measure your EI? Your employees? There are a variety of assessment tools in the market. We prefer the EQ-I model since it’s so well validated across races, sexes and cultures. It breaks EI into 5 areas or realms of competencies: interpersonal, intrapersonal, adaptability, general mood and stress management.

7. Any other comments? Many studies have proven that those in senior leadership positions in companies are those with the highest EQ, not necessarily the highest IQ. Why? They’re able to get results through people better than most.