Those with high EQ are ruling the world.
Here’s why.

It’s no secret that society values intelligence. People who can, boast their IQ, test scores and academic achievements. But more of an emphasis is being placed now on our EQ or emotional intelligence. Many feel that it is as important, if not more important than our intelligence quotient.
No longer is success solely measured by book smarts (thank God). Emotional intelligence is being used as a better predictor of success, relationship quality and overall happiness. We use our emotional intelligence in almost every decision we make even if we don’t realize it.
So, what does that mean? Having a strong emotional intelligence means that you have the ability to recognize and understand emotions and reactions in yourself and others. We can break this down further into four main skills: self awareness, self management, empathy and social skills. When you develop these skills, you are able to live a more complete, healthy and BALANCED life.
Only by understanding and being fully aware of our emotions can we learn to manage our responses.
Your overall health and wellness is very closely tied to your emotional intelligence. Being aware of your feelings and how you react to them helps you manage and alleviate stress. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that regulates multiple processes in the body but is best known as the “stress hormone.” When you have chronic stress it results in elevated cortisol levels putting you at risk of depression and other mental health issues.
When we hear people talking about emotions we often equate it with a kind of vulnerability or weakness when more studies are proving that couldn’t be further from the truth! We need to stop being judgemental of people who wear their hearts on their sleeve. We need to stop labelling people as over-sensitive when they are simply feeling.
Vulnerability is not weakness.
Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston. She has spent more than a decade studying vulnerability and shame. You may know her from her TED Talks, one of which is in the top 5 most watched in the world (and if you haven’t seen them yet, check them out ASAP!).
Brown came to the conclusion that vulnerability is not weakness but instead is the “most accurate measure of courage.” WOW. How powerful is that?
It takes courage to embrace and show any kind of vulnerability. To open yourself up to potential embarrassment, risk and pain. But you know what else she discovered in her years of studying? The people who have a strong sense of love and belonging not only embrace vulnerability but they feel it’s necessary.
When we turn away from vulnerability or try to hide it and push it away, we are numbing that emotion. The catch? You can’t numb the crappy emotions without numbing the positive ones too. And being numb isn’t emotionally intelligent.
Even in the workplace, the most stringent CEOs and employers are giving praise to those with high EQs. Many offices are requesting their employees take personality tests to examine behavioural style and it has been a big focus in job interviews. Questions like, “Could you tell me about a time you made a mistake at work?” or “How do you build a rapport with your colleagues?” are more telling than you may realize.
So how do you develop your EQ?
Well for starters, lowering your cortisol level never hurts. That means regular physical activity, spending time with people you value, taking the time to laugh and participating in some form of mindfulness or meditation.
Meditation helps you to become aware. When you gain this kind of clarity in your own mind, it is easier to see this in others as well. It is easier to read others facial expressions and body language — even their vibes and energy. You become less reactionary and have more self-control. It ultimately revives your thought process. And this does NOT go unnoticed.
Yes, having a high IQ is great but having a high EQ allows you to more effectively put that IQ to use.
Being an owner of a small business, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of EQ. I hire high EQ over high IQ every time. And our clients, they do the same.
