Why Emotions Can Matter More than Intellect

It was during a quiet weekend that I stumbled upon Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman.

I had heard the term “emotional intelligence” (EQ) before, but Goleman’s work brought the concept to life.

As I turned the pages, I began reflecting on my own life and the people around me.

There was a time when I was leading a project team at work. Technically, we had all the expertise we needed, yet there was friction, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities.

I couldn’t pinpoint why things weren’t working—until I read Goleman’s book.

It dawned on me that while IQ had helped us build the plan, what we lacked was EQ to navigate relationships, handle stress, and stay cohesive.

This realization transformed how I approached leadership and interpersonal relationships, and it inspired me to explore emotional intelligence further.

In this issue, I’d like to unpack what emotional intelligence is and how it plays a pivotal role in elevating your personal, career, and business growth.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Goleman defines EQ as the ability to:

1. Recognize and understand your own emotions.

2. Manage your emotions effectively.

3. Understand the emotions of others.

4. Build strong relationships through empathy and communication.

EQ is often broken into five key components:

• Self-awareness: Recognizing your emotions and their impact.

• Self-regulation: Managing impulses and staying composed under pressure.

• Motivation: Harnessing emotions to stay focused on goals.

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

• Social skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships.

While IQ might get you in the door, EQ determines how far you go.

How Emotional Intelligence Fuels Growth

1. Personal Growth

Emotional intelligence helps you become more resilient, confident, and self-aware. It equips you with tools to handle setbacks, manage stress, and navigate challenging emotions.

For example, self-regulation keeps you from making impulsive decisions, while empathy fosters meaningful connections with others.

Practical tip: Begin with self-awareness.

Spend time reflecting on your emotional triggers.

Journaling or mindfulness practices can help you identify recurring patterns in your responses.

2. Career Development

Professionals with high EQ stand out in the workplace.

Whether you’re managing a team or collaborating with peers, EQ enhances your ability to communicate, resolve conflicts, and inspire others.

Studies have shown that EQ is directly correlated with leadership effectiveness.

In my career, once I began leaning into empathy and active listening, I noticed a shift in how people responded to me.

Meetings became more productive, and team members felt heard. As a result, our performance soared.

Practical tip: Practice active listening.

In your next meeting, focus on understanding others’ perspectives without interrupting or immediately reacting.

3. Business Growth

In entrepreneurship or business, emotional intelligence is critical for building trust with clients, managing teams, and navigating the uncertainties of leadership.

Empathy helps you understand your audience’s needs, while self-regulation keeps you grounded when facing challenges.

For example, some of the most successful companies foster EQ through culture—leaders who value empathy and team cohesion outperform those who only focus on metrics.

Practical tip: Build trust by practicing transparency and vulnerability.

Share your challenges with your team, showing them that emotional openness is a strength, not a weakness.

How to Build Emotional Intelligence

Here are three strategies to grow your EQ:

1. Develop self-awareness: Take a step back during emotionally charged situations and ask, “Why am I feeling this way?”

2. Enhance empathy: Pay attention to non-verbal cues, like body language and tone, to understand what others may be feeling.

3. Practice self-regulation: Use techniques like deep breathing or counting to 10 when you feel overwhelmed by emotions.

Daniel Goleman’s insights opened my eyes to the transformative power of emotional intelligence.

Developing EQ has not only made me a better professional but also a better person.

Whether you’re trying to advance your career, strengthen relationships, or grow your business, EQ is a skill worth mastering.

Unlike IQ, which remains relatively fixed, EQ can be nurtured and developed at any stage of life.

Let’s make it a priority to cultivate our emotional intelligence and inspire others to do the same.

What’s one area of EQ you’d like to improve?

Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective.

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Thanks for reading issue 029 of my weekly "Charisma Business Growth" newsletter.

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