Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
about Emotional Intelligence

1. What is Emotional Intelligence?

   Emotional Intelligence is your capacity to understand, motivate, and develop yourself, and others, toward improved work performance and enhanced organizational effectiveness.

   Emotional Intelligence research has "broken the code" on how to help leaders, managers, and employees achieve improved work performance and organizational effectiveness.

2. Who needs Emotional Intelligence?

   Research shows that for jobs of all kinds, Emotional Intelligence is twice as important as IQ plus technical skills. Emotional intelligence is more than 85% of what sets star performers apart from the average. And the more complex a job is, and the higher the authority it holds, the greater the impact of outstanding performance on the bottom line.

   Top managers can add or destroy huge economic value to your organization. We’re talking about "hard" results such as improved profitability, higher productivity, increased sales and lowered costs, as well as the "softer" results: increased morale and motivation, greater co-operation, lower turnover and greater retention of talent.

   For high complexity jobs (i.e. physicians, account managers, sales people) the added value generated by the top 1% is 127% greater than the average!

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
about Emotional Intelligence

3. How do you measure Emotional Intelligence?

   The Bar-On Emotion Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), is a self-report measure of EI developed as a measure of emotionally and socially competent behavior that provides an estimate of one's emotional and social intelligence.

   The EQ-i is not meant to measure personality traits or cognitive capacity, but rather the capacity to understand, motivate, and develop yourself, and others, to improve work performance and enhance organizational effectiveness.

   One hundred and thirty-three items are used to obtain a Total EQ (Total Emotion Quotient) and to produce 5 composite scale scores, corresponding to the 5 main components of the Bar-On model. A 360° version of this assessment is also available.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
about Emotional Intelligence

4. Why are organizations interested in developing Emotional Intelligence?

   Emotional Intelligence is a much better predictor of performance and success than IQ or technical skills. And we know, according to recent studies, Emotional Intelligence is on the decline across all economic groups across all cultures. The generation that is falling behind in Emotional Intelligence is the young people entering the workforce today.

   A survey of American employers reveals that:

   • More than 50% of the people who work for them lack the motivation to keep learning and improving in the job
   • 4 in 10 people are not able to work cooperatively with fellow employees
   • Only 19% of entry level applicants have enough self-discipline in their work habits to get the job done satisfactorily
   • Billions of dollars are wasted on development programs leading to a less than desired return on investment in leadership training
   • 70% of all change initiatives are not netting the desired results due to people issues – poor levels of ability to lead, teamwork, initiative, dealing with change.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
about Emotional Intelligence

5. How do organizations benefit from having employees with EI?

   The ability to outperform others in this competitive climate depends on the relationships of the people involved. And relationship skills are related to your employees’ and leaders’ degree of Emotional Intelligence. There is a ripple effect-leaders possessing Emotional Intelligence will create an effective work climate that will further develop Emotional Intelligence at all other levels.

   Studies show that outstanding organizations that employ individuals with a high degree of Emotional Intelligence have the following in common:

   • Organizational commitment to a basic strategy
   • Collaboration, support and sharing resources
   • Initiative to stimulate improvements in performance
   • Innovation, risk-taking and learning together
   • Open communication and trust-building with all stakeholders
   • A passion for competition and continual improvement
   • Building relationships inside and outside that offer competitive advantage
   • A balance between the human and financial side of the organization's agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
about Emotional Intelligence

6. Why is Emotional Intelligence important in team performance?

   Recent research has shown that Emotional Intelligence is critical to your effectiveness in the workplace. But your group's emotional intelligence may be even more important, since most organizational work gets done in teams. Group EI norms build the foundation for true collaboration and cooperation which helps skilled teams fulfill their highest potential. Teams perform at their best when leaders create conditions that allow them to manage themselves effectively.

   A survey of American employers reveals that:

7. How does EI make an impact on the bottom line?

   In today’s competitive, knowledge-driven organization, leadership is more important than ever. Today’s leaders-from top executives to line managers-must have more than just the right technical skills and IQ. They must possess the right values, behaviors and emotions-the right Emotional Intelligence.

   Emotionally intelligent leaders help organizations create competitive advantage through:

   • Increased performance
   • Enhanced innovation
   • Effective leaders
   • Effective use of time and resources
   • More teamwork
   • Improved motivation
   • Restored trust.