Whether at work or home, a person's ability to at least adapt or thrive in any given situation will be determined by their intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.  These skills are considered soft and possess competencies like communication, conflict resolution, cooperation, decision making, Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ), flexibility, initiative, leadership ability, self-discipline, etc.  Soft skills are known as people or street smarts.  Hard skills represent our Intelligence Quotient (IQ), which is considered to be book or knowledge smarts.  To thrive in today's workplace and life, it takes more than book smarts; it also takes people smarts.  For example, your IQ may get you hired or a date, but it is your EQ that will get you promoted or a healthy, life-time partner.

According to Daniel Goleman, an internationally known psychologist and author of The New York Times bestseller book, Emotional Intelligence, "Studies of close to 500 organizations worldwide indicate that people who score highest on EQ measures rise to the top of corporations.  Among other things, these "star employees" possess more interpersonal skills and confidence than "regular employees" who receive less favorable performance reviews." While it is necessary for individuals to demonstrate a certain level of expertise in their field, it is their soft skills that gives them the competitive advantage.  Emotional Intelligence involves traits like becoming self-aware, emotionally aware of others, flexible, resilient, open-minded, optimistic, taking initiative, having close relationships and feeling satisfied with life.  Good news - EQ can be learned! Our IQ is fixed at birth; our EQ is developed throughout life and with training.  Developing your EQ skills definitely matter for your success, happiness and fulfillment.

According to the Essi Systems' EQ Map®, there are three driving forces involved with developing a high EQ. These forces are what give an individual and an organization a competitive advantage. They are:

EQ provides the ability to control your emotions (yourself) to achieve positive outcomes in both your professional and personal lives. It's about the choices you make with each interaction and circumstance you experience. It makes an individual contributor into a team player. It makes a manager into a leader. It makes an acquaintance into a desired friend. It makes an unhealthy relationship into a stable, loving one. It makes a family member into a great role model.  It makes you succeed.

Looking Forward!