Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to understand and manage your own emotions as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. The term was first coined in the 1990s by researchers John Mayer and Peter Salovey, but was later popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman.
More than a decade ago, Goleman highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, telling the Harvard Business Review, “The most effective leaders are all alike in one important way: They all have high levels of what has come to be known as emotionality. Intelligence is not that IQ and technical skills are irrelevant. They’re important, but…they’re entry-level requirements for executive positions.”
Over the years, emotional intelligence – also known as EQ – has evolved into a must-have skill. Research from EQ provider TalentSmart shows that emotional intelligence is the strongest predictor of performance. And hiring managers have taken notice: 71 percent of employers surveyed by CareerBuilder said they value EQ over IQ, reporting that employees with high emotional intelligence are better at staying calm under pressure, resolving conflicts effectively and responding empathetically to colleagues. Chances are high.
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