It might sound like we’re talking about two completely different centers above, and, to employees who find themselves working Martha’s shift, then Jim’s, it can feel like it.
This is an example of the power of working with someone who has a high degree of Emotional Intelligence (or EQ, for short). In this example, Martha is the emotionally intelligent supervisor, intently aware of how she impacts her team and her organization as a whole. Jim, on the other hand, has lower EQ, making it difficult for him to understand how his emotions get in the way of his ability to make an impact.
EQ - The defining factor
Dr. Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves, in their book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, suggest that emotional intelligence is one of the single most important factors determining the success of an organization’s leadership team. Like Martha, leaders with high EQ tap the true potential of their teams. Bradberry and Greaves’ research, compiled after the participation of over 500,000 test subjects, is conclusive: EQ matters a great deal, yet only 36% of people are able to accurately identify their emotions as they happen. It’s true—most of us are still in the dark, sabotaging our own success along with the success of those we work with.