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Knowing the Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Pursuing Success


Growing up, I always questioned the reason some of the smartest people I knew were so clueless as to how to relate to their peers. Some of them made it a point to make their intellectual superiority known by disclaiming their IQ and their grades in school. Others chose only to associate with those who were on their intellectual level. Their conversations always turned into a 'battle of the wits' with one person attempting to outsmart the others. Many of these individuals prided themselves in the fact that their academic and intellectual abilities would help them land the job of their dreams, financial prosperity, and an overall better quality of life. Today, I know that a person's IQ score does not measure an individual's ability to attain happiness or success in their life and in their career.

Many researchers have found that the actual measurement of a person's ability to achieve happiness and success in their life and career is based on their 'Emotional Intelligence' (EQ). EQ is the individual's ability to identify, understand, manage, apply, and direct their emotions or the emotions of others. Some researchers theorize that IQ only makes up an estimated 10-25% of what is necessary to attain overall success. They believe that 75% or more of what is required to achieve happiness and success in personal development, job performance, productivity, and success, is a person's EQ. Social scientists believe that EQ is critical to individual and professional success because people need to have the ability to read and interpret the signals of others to respond appropriately. Those who achieve this are able to attract others through their capacity to relate personally and professionally to others. They are capable of forming healthier relationships that lead to a more satisfying life.

Many people believe that they are emotionally intelligent for various reasons; however, if these individuals are unable to understand, negotiate, and empathize with others, then they may have a low level of emotional intelligence. These individuals may believe their level of EQ is satisfactory based on their self-awareness of their emotional well-being. They are missing an important element of EQ that includes the ability to recognize and empathize with the emotional states of others. Knowledge of the emotional state of others is just as important as understanding personal temperaments because:

1. Communication is enhanced between parties.

2. Able to relieve external and internal stress that creates emotional triggers.

3. Develop the ability to overcome personal and

professional challenges involving others.

4. Develop the capacity to empathize with others

which provide depth to new and existing