INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT VERSUS EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Emotional intelligence is a most underrated skill and all must endeavor to develop it as it forms a great deal of personal development and growth.

There are nine bits of intelligence, but two major ones are Intelligence quotient, (IQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ).

The intelligence quotient is a score derived from a series of tests designed to measure how mentally agile a person is. In other words, IQ is a measure of mental agility. The higher the score, the more intelligent the person is. IQ is the type of standard score that indicates how far above, or how far below, his/her peer group an individual stands in mental ability.” The peer group’s score is an IQ of 100, and a genius, for example, will score higher than 100. On average, IQ peaks between the ages of 16 and 25, with a steady gradual decrease thereafter. What then becomes essential is the Emotional Quotient.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, use, control, and manage other people’s emotions. EQ is the stronger drive for leadership and personal excellence. IQ accounts for only about 20% of life’s successes while *EQ is the determinant of success, of course with the addition of other factors such as family background, wealth, relationships, culture, temperament, etc.

Since EI deals with emotions, I will quickly discuss the six basic emotions there are and the ways to recognize them when experienced by other people. These are notes from the introductory class on the topic of Emotional Intelligence:

1. Fear: 

Circuits in the emotional brain trigger a rush of hormones that puts the body on alert and ready to do two things – flee or fight. Blood flows to the large skeletal muscles, such as in the legs, making it easier to run, but away from the face of the one who is angry, making him or her look pale.

2. Surprise:

The eyebrow lifts, allowing more light rays to hit the retina and a larger visual sweep of the situation. The person gets more information about the unexpected event, making it possible to figure out what is going on and how to act.

3. Happiness:

Increased activity in the emotional brain, quiets those that generate worrisome thoughts; happiness puts the body in a relaxed mood but ready and enthusiastic for the task ahead.

4. Sadness:

The body’s metabolism works in the opposite; body energy and enthusiasm drop, helping the person to cope with the frustration or loss. We all experience this emotion and the time it takes for us to get over it depends on the individual. The good thing however is that energy level gradually returns, helping the person to get on with life after the saddening situation.

5. Disgust:

The upper lip is curled and the nose slightly wrinkled, suggesting an attempt to close the nose to the disgusting odor or spit out a noxious food.

6. Anger:

Blood flows to the hands, making it easier to grab a weapon or to set a punch (lol). The heartbeat increases and a rush of hormones such as adrenaline generates a pulse of energy ready for strong action.

“Anger is the most seductive of all emotions, and anyone can become angry – that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way is not easy” Aristotle.

My work is not done if I do not take us through how to control these emotions and use them to our advantage; Please stay tuned to my next post, I will complete this interesting, yet profound discussion on emotional intelligence.

#MEMBA 11