The Impact of High Emotional Intelligence on Career

In recent years, the importance of emotional intelligence in terms of vocational training and career development has been frequently emphasized by many employers and experts. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, high emotional intelligence will have secured a solid place among the top 10 criteria for hiring by 2020. A study conducted in 2011 revealed that 71% of the 2,600 hiring managers and human resources officials interviewed prioritized EQ (emotional intelligence) over IQ (logical intelligence) when it comes to recruitment, 75% preferred to promote the candidate with higher emotional intelligence when there were multiple candidates for a promotion, and 59% indicated a high likelihood of not hiring a candidate with very low emotional intelligence, even if their logical intelligence was quite high. So, what is the importance of emotional intelligence for a career and why are individuals with high emotional intelligence particularly preferred in high-level jobs?

1. They are more resilient to stress and pressure.

Being able to cope with workplace pressures and work under stress requires the ability to control and direct emotions. Individuals with high emotional intelligence can better analyze their endurance levels and breaking points, allowing them to cope with stress more easily. It is also more likely that these individuals can handle the tension created by changes in the work environment and deadlines smoothly.

2. They are successful in understanding others and collaborating.

The importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace is most evident in situations that require teamwork. Individuals who understand and can control their own emotions are also more successful in social skills such as empathizing with others, maintaining healthy communication, articulating their ideas appropriately, being open to criticism, and managing teamwork.

3. They serve as role models for other colleagues.

Individuals with high emotional intelligence do not easily panic when things go wrong, making them less prone to taking hasty, thoughtless actions. The importance of emotional intelligence for a career largely stems from the assumption that these individuals can keep their colleagues around them away from panic.

4. They are meticulous and attentive in the decision-making process.

The ability to see events and situations from others' perspectives and evaluate them openly is a primary factor in the impact of emotional intelligence on career development. Individuals with high or developing emotional intelligence consider how the decisions they make in the workplace will affect everyone from the lowest-level employees to the general manager, allowing them to navigate problems with minimal damage even in the worst-case scenario.